SHERMAN 


IN  ART,  ORATORY, 
AND  LITERATURE 


D  OF  THE 


SHERMAN 


A  Memorial  in  Art,  Oratory,  and  Literature  by  ihf 

Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  with  the  aid 

»{   the  Congress  of  the  United   States  of  America 


•   Authority  of  ( 
T/3MU/UM   *AI>,l 
Un*:-  •  Col.    1  hon  on* 

J9*ttoH  sJtri1//)  irt9wfffto£  9rtJ  moiH 
\_oi 

In  C  K,«w  jt  Monumrnl  sn.J  *. '<rrrmonie» 

By 
DfB.  Randolph  Krim 

WM  '      -ropuatmi!  oi  thr  N«-w  'J  ^l  f  U»M 


VIEW  OF  THE  SHERMAN  MONUMENT 

From  the  Northwest  (White  House). 


SHERMAN 


A  Memorial  in  Art,  Oratory,  and  Literature  by  the 
Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  with  the  aid 
of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America 


Prepared  by  Authority  of  Congress 
Under  the  Direction  of  Col.  Thomas  W.  Symon* 

Corps  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  Army 
In  Charge  of  Monument  and  Ceremonies 

By 

DeB.  Randolph  Keim 

1      |  I 
War  Correspondent  of  the  New  York  Herald 

Attending  the  Operations  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  1862-3-4 


G-ve-n^iert  fcrVjifc'ig  Office:  1904 


[Fifty-eighth  Congress,  second  session,  concurrent  resolution  No.  57.] 

IN  THE  SENATE  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

MARCH  17, 1904.— Submitted  by  Mr.  PENROSE,  of  Pennsylvania. 

MARCH  17, 1904. — Referred  to  the  Committee  on  Printing  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

MARCH  23, 1904. — Reported  by  Mr.  PLATT,  of  New  York,  with  an  amendment;  consid 
ered,  amended,  and  agreed  to. 

APRIL  21,  1904. — Reported  by  Mr.  I_ANDIS,  of  Indiana,  asking  "unanimous  consent  for 
the  present  consideration  of  Senate  concurrent  resolution  No.  57."  There  was  no 
objection.  The  resolution  was  agreed  to,  as  follows: 

That  there  be  printed  and  bound  in  the  form  such  as  is  customary 
in  the  case  of  eulogies  twelve  thousand  copies  of  the  proceedings  and 
accompanying  documents,  with  suitable  process  plates  to  be  bound  there 
with,  upon  the  unveiling  of  the  statue  of  General  WILLIAM  T.  SHERMAN 
of  which  three  thousand  copies  shall  be  for  the  use  of  the  Senate,  six 
thousand  copies  for  the  use  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  three 
thousand  copies,  of  which  two  hundred  copies  shall  be  bound  in  full 
morocco,  to  be  distributed  under  the  direction  of  the  chairman  of  the 
Joint  Committee  on  the  Library,  in  such  manner  as,  in  his  judgment, 

may  be  desirable. 

(2) 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

GENERAL  SHERMAN  STATUE  COMMITTEE 9 

SHERMAN  STATUE  COMMISSION 1 1 

INTRODUCTORY 13 

Inception  of  the  memorial 13 

Raising  of  funds 14 

Congressional  cooperation 15 

General  Sherman  Statue  Commission  created 16 

Finances 1 6 

Invitation  to  sculptors  . .  .  .- 17 

Conditions  of  competition 17 

Rules  of  competition 17 

Entries  for  competition iK 

A  model  exhibit 19 

The  award 20 

The  contract 21 

Death  of  the  sculptor 24 

THE  STATUE 25 

Sherman  Plaza 25 

Carl  Rohl-Smith,  sculptor 26 

Story  of  the  Monument,  by  Mrs.  Carl  Rohl-Smith 27 

Inscriptions,  emblems,  and  bas-reliefs  on  the  pedestal 30 

THE  ARRANGEMENTS 33 

The  stands 33 

Flag  decorations 34 

Floral  display 35 

Invitations 36 

Form  of,  and  reply ;- 

Tickets 37 

Form  of  tickets 38 

Police  arrangements 38 

(3) 


M144714 


4  Contents. 

Page. 
THE  ARRANGEMENTS — Continued. 

Carriage  regulations 39 

Guests 40 

Seating  of  the  guests 42 

Arrival  of  the  President 42 

THE  PARADE 45 

A  pageant  of  war .  .  45 

Parade  formation 45 

Head  of  column,  ' '  Forward  " 47 

Route  of  march  47 

In  review 47 

The  President 47 

Unison  of  harmony  and  step 48 

Parade,  rest 48 

THE  DEDICATION' 49 

The  Unveiling  Commission 49 

Order  of  exercises 49 

Called  to  order 50 

Invocation 50 

Introductory  address — 

Review  of  the  history  of  the  statue  by  Maj.  Gen.  Grenville  M. 

Dodge,  chairman  of  the  commission  and  presiding  officer  .  .  53 

SHERMAN  IN  ART 57 

Honors 57 

THE  UNVEILING 59 

SHERMAN  IN  ORATORY 61 

The  President  announced 61 

The  President's  address 63 

Gen.  D.  B.  Henderson's  oration 69 

Gen.  Daniel  E.  Sickles's  address   Si 

Gen.  Charles  H.  Grosvenor's  address 85 

Gen.  Thomas  J.  Henderson's  address 93 

In  conclusion  99 

Benediction 99 

Departure  of  the  President 99 

Complimented  by  the  President 100 

Committee  on  Reception 101 


Contents.  5 

Paj?e. 

REUNIONS i<-3 

Commemorative  gaveties 103 

Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee 103 

Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland u>6 

Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 112 

Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio 1 15 

Local  hospitality — Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 1 16 

The  Aztec  Society  of  1847 117 

A  brilliant  ending  of  a  superb  beginning 119 

Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 1 24 

My  country  'tis  of  thee 1 24 

SHERMAN  IN  LITKRATTRE 

Sherman:  A  memorial  sketch  by  DeB.  Randolph  Keim,  civil 

war  correspondent 1 25 

A  military  pass 384 

SHERMAN  IN  THE  RECORD  (official) 385 

SHERMAN  IN  BOOKS:  A  BIBLIOGRAPHY 391 

INDEX 401 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Face  page. 
Frontispiece — View  of  the  Monument  from  the  northwest  (White 

House ) „ Faces  title. 

The  Statue: 

View    of    the     Monument    from    the    northeast,    Pennsylvania 

Avenue 25 

Diagram  of  Sherman  Plaza 26 

Portrait  of  the  sculptor 27 

The  Arrangements: 

Diagram  of  plan  of  stands 33 

The  Parade: 

In  Review — 

No.    i.    Lieutenant-General   Young,    head   of    column    in 

review 45 

No.  2.   U.  S.  Infantry  entering  court  of  honor 45 

No.  3.  U.  S.  Infantry  passing  in  review  before  the   Presi 
dent  45 

No.  4.  National  Guard,  I).  C.,  passing  in  review  before  the 

President 45 

The  Dedication: 

Ma jor-(  .eneral  Dodge,  presiding  officer 53 

Sherman  in  Bronze: 
Flag  series — 

No.  i .  The  statue  veiled 59 

No.  2.  Statue  unveiled 59 

No.  3.   Bird's-eye  view  of  court 59 

No.  4.  William  Tecumseh  Sherman  Thorndike 59 

(7) 


8  List  of  Illustrations. 

Sherman  in  Oratory:  Face  page. 

The  President  of  the  United  States 63 

Gen.  David  B.  Henderson 69 

Gen.  Daniel  E.  Sickles 81 

Gen.  Charles  H.  Grosvenor 85 

Gen.  Thomas  J.  Henderson 93 

Colonel  Symons  in  charge  of  Monument  and  ceremonies 99 

A  memorial  sketch  of  William  Tecumseh  Sherman: 

Gen.  \V.  T.  Sherman  in  command  of  the  U.  S.  Army 125 

Sherman  at  Shiloh,  Tenn 195 

Sherman  at  Missionary  Ridge 240 

The  battle  of  Atlanta,  Ga 278 

Sherman's    marches:    Chattanooga,    Tenn.,     to    Atlanta,    Ga. ; 

Atlanta  to  Savannah,  Ga. :  Savannah  to  Goldsboro,  X.  C.  .  .  294 

Major-General  Sherman,  U.  S.  Army,  march  to  the  sea 313 

The  grave  of  Sherman 380 

A  military  pass 384 


THE  GENERAL  SHERMAN  STATUE  COMMITTEE 

OF  THE 

SOCIETY  OK  THK  ARMY  OF  THE  TENNESSEE, 

In  charge  of  the  inception  and  prosecution  of  the  Monument. 

Constituted  by  Resolution  of  the  Society. 

1891,  Oct.  8,  Chicago,  111.  Washington,  D.  C.,  Oct.  15,  1903. 

Maj.  Gen.  GRENVILLE  M.  DODGE,  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  President. 
Col.  J.  K.  How, «  St.  Louis  Mo.  (  Treasurer).     Died  July  9,  s$o6. 
Brig.  Gen.  ANDREW  HICKENLOOPER,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Brig.  Gen.  JOHN  W.  NOBLE,  Treasurer,  SI.  Louis,  3fo. 
Col.  DAVID  B.  HENDERSON,  Dubuque,  Iowa. 
Maj.  S.  E.  BARRETT/'  Chicago,  III.     Resigned. 
Col.  AUGUSTUS  JACOBSON,  Chicago,  III.     Died  October  15,  /ooj. 
Col.  \V.  McCRORY,'  Minneapolis,  Minn.     Died  February  //,  /Soj. 
Col.  CORNELIUS  CADLE,  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Secretary. 

"Succeeded  by  Brig.  Gen.  Andrew  Hickenlooper. 
ft  Succeeded  by  Col.  Augustus  Jacobson. 
<•  Succeeded  by  Col.  Cornelius  Cadle. 

(9) 


THE  SHERMAN  STATUE  COMMISSION. 

Created  by  act  of  Congress  approved  July  5,  1892. 

Maj.  Gen.  GRENVILLE  M.  DODGE, 

President  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee; 

Chairman  May  27,  1896-1904. 

Hon.  STEPHEN  B.  ELKIXS,  Secretary  of  War,  i  892-93.  a 
Hon.  DANIEL  S.  LAMONT,  Secretary  of  War,  1893-1897.^ 
Hon.  RUSSELL  A.  ALGER,  Secretary  of  War,  1897-^899.  f 
Hon.  ELIHT  ROOT,  Secretary  of  War,  /Soo-f 


Maj.  Gen.  JOHN  M.  SCHOFIKLD, 
Commanding  the  Army  of  the  ['nited  States,  1892-1895. 

Lieut.  Gen.  NELSON  A.  MILES, 
Commanding  the  Army  of  the  United  States,  1  895-1  903. 

Lieut.  Gen.  S.  B.  M.  YOUNG, 
Chief  of  Staff,  U.  S.  Army,  1903. 

IN  CHARGE  OF  ERECTION  OF  THE  MONUMENT. 
CORPS  OF  ENGINEERS,  U.  S.  ARMY. 

Col.  JOHN  M.  WILSON,  1895-1897, 
Lieut.  JOHN  S.  SEWELL,  1897, 
Col.  THEODORE  A.  BINGHAM,  1897-1903, 
Col.  THOMAS  W.  SYMONS,  1903, 

In   charge  of  completion   of  Monument  and  of 
Monument  and  ceremonies  of  unveiling. 

a  No  proceedings. 

*  Competition,  and  contract  signed:  Mr.  John  Seager,  secretary  of  commission. 
<"No  record  of  meetings. 

<*Mr.  W.  S.  Coursey  elected  secretary  December  10,  1900.     Mr.  Merritt  O.  Chance,  sec 
retary.  October  10,  1902. 

(II) 


INTRODUCTORY. 


INCEPTION   OF   THE    MEMORIAL. 

During  the  proceedings  of  the  twenty-third  annual  meeting 
of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  at  Chicago,  111., 
October  7-8,  1891,  Gen.  Grenville  M.  Dodge  offered  a  resolu 
tion  for  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  five  to  draft  a  suit 
able  tribute  to  their  late  president  and  commander  and  "to 
recommend  some  action  by  the  society  to  commemorate  his 
death  by  a  suitable  memorial."  Col.  James  F.  How  added  a 
resolution  calling  for  a  committee  of  five  for  the  raising  of  funds 
"  from  the  memljers  of  this  society  "  to  be  used  in  the  erection  of 
a  monument  to  Gen.  WILLIAM  TECUMSEH  SHERMAN,  and  "to 
have  full  power  to  use  any  funds  collected  by  them,  in  the  erec 
tion  of  such  a  monument  as  they  may  approve,  at  such  locality 
as  they  may  decide." 

These  propositions  were  drawn  in  formal  resolutions  and 
adopted  unanimously  on  October  8,  1891,  "that  there  should 
be  some  suitable  and  permanent  expression  of  the  respect,  ad 
miration,  and  gratitude  felt  by  the  American  people  for  the 
noble  character,  lofty  patriotism,  and  invaluable  services  of 
Gen.  WILLIAM  T.  SHERMAN" — locating  the  statue  at  the 
national  capital — and  authorizing  the  president  of  the  society 
to  appoint  a  committee  of  five  persons  to  be  known  as  the 


14  Introduction. 

"General  Sherman  Statue  Committee,"  with  authority  to  col 
lect  subscriptions  in  the  name  of  the  society  and  to  memorialize 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States  to  aid  in  the  work. 
This  committee  was  appointed.      (See  p.  9.) 

RAISING    OF    FUNDS. 

On  November  9  following,  at  a  meeting  of  the  committee, 
resolutions  were  adopted  constituting  Generals  Henderson  and 
Noble  a  committee  on  legislation  to  ask  an  appropriation  of 
$50,000,  being  the  same  amount  contributed  by  Congress  "for 
site,  pedestal,  and  statue"  of  Generals  Hancock,  Logan,  and 
Sheridan;  also  authorizing  the  committee  to  invite  the  Societies 
of  the  Armies  of  the  Ohio,  Potomac,  and  Cumberland,  the 
Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  and  the  Society  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  through  their  chief  officer,  to 
unite  in  raising  the  fund  desired  ;  also  to  request  the  citizens  of 
the  several  States  and  Territories  to  contribute,  and  instructing 
the  chairman  to  appoint  a  committee  of  five  in  each  State  to 
carry  out  the  object  proposed,  with  power  to  appoint  sub- 
committies  to  aid  them  in  their  work.  A  form  of  circular  was 
adopted,  setting  forth  the  plans  of  the  committee,  to  be 
addressed  to  the  societies  named,  asking  their  cooperation  and 
assistance. 

On  November  n,  1891,  the  committee  issued  an  appeal  to 
the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  urging  that  ' '  a  sum 
sufficiently  large  should  be  obtained  from  our  members  to 
enable  us  to  appeal  to  others  for  assistance  in  carrying  on  the 
work." 

The  efforts  of  the  society  were  made  the  subject  of  General 
Orders,  No.  7,  Albany,  N.  Y. ,  January  9,  1892,  Adjutant- 
General's  Office,  Headquarters  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 


Introduction.  15 

In  stirring  pronouncement,  the  following  tribute  was  paid  to 
the  subject  of  the  proposed  memorial: 

He  of  all  the  preeminently  great  commanders  during  the  struggle  for 
national  unity,  since  the  war,  was  superlatively  one  of  us.  At  our  cump 
fires  and  reunions,  department  or  national  encampments,  "Uncle  Billy" 
was  ever  a  prominent  and  welcome  figure.  His  efforts  for  the  welfare 
and  pleasure  of  the  "hoys,"  no  matter  how  arduous  or  how  great  a  drain 
upon  his  time,  were  always  deemed  a  labor  of  love  and  duty,  to  be 
fulfilled  without  abatement.  No  honors  paid  him  abroad  or  at  home 
ever  tended  to  weaken  his  love  and  solicitous  interest  in  those  who 
"marche'd  with  him  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea,"  or  stood  a  bulwark  between 
the  nation  and  its  foes  on  bloody,  hard-fought  fields. 

A  contribution  was  urged  by  every  command,  no  matter 
how  small  the  amount,  "so  that  when  the  statue  is  erected  in 
Washington  every  soldier  who  sees  it  win  feel  that  it  is  a  part 
of  his  effort." 

On  February  10  the  members  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of 
the  Tennessee  were  advised  of  what  had  been  done  and  were 
called  upon  to  make  every  effort  through  their  posts  and  by 
individual  exertion  among  themselves  and  friends  to  aid  in 
swelling  the  fund. 

CONGRESSIONAL    COOPERATION. 

Through  the  exertions  of  the  committee  on  legislation, 
assisted  by  the  general  committee  and  friends  in  and  out  of 
Congress,  that  body,  under  act  approved  July  5,  1892,  enacted 
"for  the  preparation  of  a  site  and  the  erection  of  pedestal  for  a 
statue  of  the  late  Gen.  WILLIAM  T.  SHERMAN,  said  site  to 
be  selected  by  and  said  pedestal  to  be  erected  under  the  super 
vision  of  the  General  Sherman  Statue  Commission,  president 
of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  the  Secretary  of 
War,  and  the  Major-General  Commanding  the  United  States 
Army  fifty  thousand  dollars." 


i6 


Introduction. 


The  commission  having  been  authorized,  no  initial  action 
was  taken  respecting  the  actual  erection  of  the  statue  pending 
the  collection  of  funds  from  private  sources.  (See  p.  n.) 

COMMISSION    CREATED — FINANCES. 

The  following  exhibits  the  various  appropriations  made  by 
Congress  in  connection  with  the  Sherman  statue,  from  1892- 
1904. 


Designation  of  item. 


Date 
appropriated. 


FOR    PEDESTAL   AND    STATUE. 

For  the  preparation  of  a  site  and  the  erection  of  a  pedestal 
for  a  statue  of  the  late  Gen.  William  T.  Sherman,  said  site 
to  be  selected  by  and  said  pedestal  be  erected  under  the 
supervision  of  the  president  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of 
the  Tennessee,  the  Secretaryof  War,  and  the  Major-General 
Commanding  the  United  States  Army,  and  any  part  of  the 
sum  hereby  appropriated  not  needed  for  preparation  of 
site  and  the  erection  of  a  pedestal  may  be  used  and  ex 
tended  in  the  completion  of  said  statue  of  the  late  WIL 
LIAM  T.  SHERMAN  . . 


For  the  completion  of  the  equestrian  statue  of  Gen.  WIL- 


July     5,  1892 


Mar.     2, 


June     6,  1900 


i, JAM  TECUMSEH  SHERMAJJ 

For  removal  of  present  iron  fence  around  the  site  of  the 

statue  and  setting  up  of  a  substantial  granite  curb  in  place 

thereof 

For  construction  of  roadways  and  paths  and  improvement 

of  grounds  about  the  statue ;  June  28,  1902 

For  completing  and  unveiling  the  statue do 

For  extra  steps  and  mosaic  work  at  l,ase  of  the  statue !  Dec.   22,  1902 

Appropriating  and  reappropriating  and  making  available 

sums  remaining  over  for  the  statue,  and  for  improvement 

of  grounds,  etc Feb.   18,  1904 

j 
Total  public 

Contributions  from  private  sources. 

A  statement  by  the  treasurer  to  the  General  Sherman  Statue 
Committee  dated  St.  Louis,  Sept.  9,  1895,  showed  a  balance 
Aug.  31,  1895,  on  deposit  to  the  credit  of  the  fund  $13,332.49. 
In  addition  there  were  other  sums  in  sight  to  bring  the 
aggregate  up  to  the  amount  named 

Total  public  and  private 


$50,1 
3°,' 


500.  oo 
ooo.  oo 
ooo. oo 


109,  500.  oo 


14,469.91 


123,969-91 


Introduction.  1 7 

INVITATION    TO    SCULPTORS. 

On  March  22,  1895,  the  formal  announcement  was  made  by 
General  Dodge,  president,  that  "a  committee  of  the  Society  of 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  the  president  of  the  same  society, 
the  Secretary  of  War,  and  the  Lieutenant-General  of  the  Army, 
have  the  authority  to  erect  and  supervise  the  construction  of  an 
equestrian  monument  to  Gen.  WILLIAM  TECUMSEH  SHERMAN, 
in  Washington,  I).  C.,"  and  invited  " such  artists  as  desire  to 
compete  for  the  erection  of  the  said  statue  and  pedestal  to  sub 
mit  models." 

CONDITIONS    OF    COMPETITION. 

In  a  circular  of  June  2OV  General  Dodge,  president,  in  behalf 
of  both  the  committee  and  the  commission,  in  reply  to  letters 
from  sculptors  asking  for  a  more  detailed  statement  of  the  con 
ditions  of  the  competition,  after  referring  the  matter  to  the 
National  Sculpture  Society  and  consultation  with  a  number  of 
artists,  submitted  rules  which  would  govern  the  competition, 
the  essential  features  of  which  were: 

The  sum  of  $96,000,  raised  by  subscription  and  appropriation, 
is  available  and  competition  is  invited. 

This  amount  must  cover  all  expenses  of  the  statute  ready  for 
unveiling,  including  four  awards  of  $i,oooeach  and  incidentals 
of  all  kinds,  leaving  $90,000  actually  available  for  the  statue 
and  pedestal. 

The  monument  to  be  placed  in  one  of  the  United  States  res 
ervations  in  the  city  of  Washington,  D.  C. 

RULES   OF    COMPETITION. 

An  accurate  and  elaborate  model  of  the  design,  scale  i  inch 
to  i  foot,  lx)th  pedestal  and  equestrian  statue,  to  be  delivered 
free  of  expense  to  G.  M.  Dodge,  president  of  the  Society  of  the 
S.  Doc.  320,  5S-2 2 


1 8  Introduction. 

Army  of  the  Tennessee,  care  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  Wash 
ington,  D.  C.,  on  or  before  January  i,  1896. 

The  artists  of  the  next  four  designs,  if  deemed  satisfactory, 
but  not  accepted,  after  the  accepted  one,  to  be  paid  $1,000  each. 

The  successful  competitor  to  enter  into  contract  with  the 
United  States  and  give  bonds  in  the  sum  of  $25,000  for  the 
performance  of  the  work.  A  full  description,  dimensions, 
character  of  materials,  and  other  necessary  information  to 
accompany  each  model.  Full  name  to  be  given  and  no  secrecy 
maintained;  models  to  be  in  plaster,  no  drawings  accepted; 
only  artists  and  sculptors  residing  in  the  United  States  or 
Americans  residing  abroad  allowed  to  compete.  A  committee 
of  the  National  Sculpture  Society  to  pass  on  the  artistic  char 
acter  of  the  models  and  experts  in  bronze  castings  to  decide  as 
to  quality  of  materials.  The  right  to  reject  any  and  all  designs 
reserved  by  the  commission.  Public  exhibition  of  models  to 
be  had  two  weeks  before  final  decision,  the  full-sized  statue  to 
be  modeled  and  all  stone  and  bronze  work  to  be  done  in  the 
United  States. 

ENTRIES    FOR    COMPETITION. 

The  following  sculptors  of  established  reputation  submitted 
models  in  compliance  with  the  terms  and  regulations  of  the 
commission. 

SCULPTORS   ENTERING   COMPETITIVE   MODELS. 

Chicago— Carl  Rohl-Smith. 

New  York — H.  K.  Bush  Brown  (2  designs),  Adrian  Jones,  James  F. 
Kelly,  J.  O.  Lester,  Alfred  L,uzi,  Ferdinand  Mirauda,  C.  H.  Niehaus  (2 
designs),  Victor  Olsa,  W.  O.  Partridge  (2  designs),  Richard  Hinton 
Perry,  J.  Massey  Rhind,  Edwin  M.  Van  Note. 

Paris — George  E.  Bissel,  P.  W.  Bartlett. 

St.  Loins — Robert  P.  Bringhurst. 

Washington — L.  Amateis,  F.  A.  T.  Dunbar,  H.  G.  Ellicott,  Theodore  A. 
Mills. 


Introduction,  19 

A    MODKI.    KXHIHIT. 

The  exhibit  as  a  whole  at  the  War  Department  attracted 
widespread  attention.  It  was  largely  visited  by  official  and 
unofficial  residents,  and  many  persons  of  taste  or  professional 
interest  in  art  from  the  principal  cities  of  the  United  States. 
In  the  opinion  of  experts,  connoisseurs,  and  men  and  women 
traveled  and  of  home  culture,  the  collection  possessed  un 
qualified  artistic  merit,  and  was  in  the  highest  degree  creditable 
to  the  progressive  work  of  American  sculptors. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  of  the  Army  of  the  Ten 
nessee  in  Washington,  I).  C.,  January  17,  1896.  it  was  decided: 
"The  twenty-three  models  for  the  SHKKMAN  equestrian  statue, 
on  exhibition  at  the  War  Department,  come  within  the  term 
limit,"  and  "are  hereby  accepted  for  competition." 

The  primary  selection  was  then  made  and  announced  in  a 
letter  of  January  21,  1896,  to  the  competing  artists  that  "the 
four  models  which  in  their  judgment  possess  the  most  merit 
for  further  elalx>ration  and  development"  are  "those  offered 
in  competition"  by  "P.  W.  Bartlett,  Carl  Rohl-Smith,  C.  II. 
Xiehaus,  and  J.  Massey  Rhind,"  and  as  "entitled  to  one  of  the 
$1,000  premiums  for  merit,  the  models  submitted  by  H.  K. 
Bush  Brown." 

The  commission  had  before  them  the  report  of  the  committee 
from  the  National  Sculpture  Society,  which  reached  nearly  the 
same  conclusion. 

The  four  sculptors  who  competed  for  the  final  judgment 
were  required  to  send,  free  of  expense  and  risk,  to  Gen.  G.  M. 
Dodge,  president  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
care  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  Washington,  D.  C.,  on  or  l>efore 
May  15,  1896,  their  designs,  on  a  scale  of  2  inches  to  i  foot, 
complete,  for  award  to  the  artist  whose  design  was  considered 


2O  Introduction. 

satisfactory.  In  addition  to  the  premium  to  the  three  unsuc 
cessful  artists,  $250  were  added  for  additional  labor,  all  other 
requirements  for  these  models  to  be  in  conformity  with  the 
circulars  of  March  22  and  June  20,  1895,  and  the  location 
defined  by  the  committee. 

At  the  meeting  of  May  26,  1896,  Major-General  Dodge  was 
authorized  to  act  for  the  commission  and  committee  in  all  mat 
ters  of  executing  contracts  for  the  erection  of  the  statue  and  to 
pay  out  of  the  funds  under  their  control  in  pursuance  of  said 
contracts  and  to  see  the  same  duly  executed. 

THK  AWARD. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  commission  at  the  Office  of  the  Secretary 
of  War  on  May  27,  1896,  General  Dodge  was  made  chairman. 
A  secret  ballot  was  taken,  without  consultation  with  each  other, 
when  it  was  resolved  to  accept  the  model  of  Carl  Rohl-Smith, 
of  Chicago,  conditional  upon  compliance  in  all  respects  with  the 
plans  and  specifications  and  requirements  of  the  commission 
and  committee  appointed  by  acts  of  Congress  and  the  Society  of 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 
The  committee  of  award  were: 

The  Secretary  of  War,  Mr.  L,amont. 

The  General  of  the  Army,  General  Miles. 

Maj.  Gen.  G-enville  M.  Dodge,  President  of  the  Society 

of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  chairman. 
Col.  D.  B.  Henderson,          ]  Of    the    General    Sherman 

Statue  Committee,  Society 
of  the  Army  of  the  Ten- 


Gen.  J.  W.  Noble, 

Col.   Augustus  Jacobson, 


Col.  Cornelius  Cadle,  nessee. 

In  cooperation  with  their  labors  of  selection,  the  commission, 
as  announced  in  their  rules,  invited  a  committee  of  the  National 
Sculpture  Society  to  pass  upon  the  artistic  character  of  the 


Introduction.  21 

nuxlels.  This  committee  was  coniix>sed  of  Augustus  St. 
Gaudens,  Bruce  Price,  J.  Q.  A.  Ward,  and  I).  C.  I'Yench,  who 
met  on  January  15,  1896,  and  examined  the  models. 

THK    CONTRACT. 

The  articles  of  .agreement,  dated  at  Washington,  1).  C., 
November  18,  1896,  were  drawn  and  signed  between  Daniel  S. 
Lamont,  Secretary  of  War,  Nelson  A.  Miles,  Major-General 
Commanding  U.  S.  Army,  and  G.  M.  Dodge,  president  of  the 
Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  first  part,  and  Carl 
Rohl-Smith,  sculptor,  of  Chicago,  of  the  second  part,  as 
follows: 

Hy  whereases  the  appropriations  by  Congress,  submission  and  accept- 
ance  of  the  model  and  selection  of  a  site  are  specifically  set  forth. 

Therefore  it  is  covenanted  and  agreed  between  the  parties  of  the  first 
part  above  named,  on  behalf  of  the  United  States  of  America  and  the 
party  of  the  second  part,  also  above  named,  that  the  party  of  the  second 
part  for  himself,  heirs,  etc.,  will  design,  model,  sculpture,  construct, 
erect,  and  deliver,  within  four  years  from  the  date  of  signing  the  agree 
ment,  a  bronze  equestrian  statute  of  the  late  Gen.  WILLIAM  TKCTMSKH 
SHKKMAN,  together  with  a  granite  pedestal  therefor,  including  certain 
bronze  figures  and  other  bronze  work  and  including  also  the  foundation 
and  base  ujxm  which  said  pedestal  is  to  rest,  all  complete,  to  constitute  a 
monument;  that  he  will  erect  said  monument  on  the  site  selected  and 
u]K>n  the  general  design  shown  by  the  model  approved  by  the  committee 
of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  and  an  amended  model  as  suggested  to  be 
prepared  and  submitted  to  the  committee  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
the  Secretary  of  War,  and  the  Major-General  commanding  the  Army  and 
approved  before  work  is  commenced,  etc. 

Then  follow  specifications  for  "pedestal  for  statue  of  General  SHKR- 
M.\X"  above  named,  the  concrete,  the  foundation  of  the  pedestal  proper, 
of  the  terrace  walls,  the  buttresses  on  either  side  of  each  flight  of  steps  to 
be  of  squared  stone  masonrv,  of  granite  or  gneiss  of  established  quality 
laid  in  cement  of  quality  as  specified  for  concrete,  all  according  to  accepted 
plans,  the  shape  ami  size  of  every  stone  to  l>e  shown  in  the  drawings  and 
strictly  followed. 

Then  is  set  forth  necessary  mechanical  data  and  details,  of 
which  the  following  is  the  substance: 

Lettering  to  l>e  satisfactory  to  the  party  of  the  first  part. 


22  Introduction. 


BRONZE    WORK. 

The  main  pedestal  which  carries  the  equestrian  portrait,  statue  of  Gen 
eral  Sherman,  height,  17  feet  6  inches. 

Group  representing  "War,"  height,  8  feet  6  inches. 

Group  representing  "  Peace,"  height,  8  feet  6  inches. 

Base  relief,  "  Marching  through  Georgia,"  size,  7  feet  6  inches  by  3  feet 
9  inches. 

Base  relief,  "Battle  of  Atlanta,"  size,  7  feet  6  inches  by  3  feet  9  inches. 

Base  relief,  "General  SHERMAN  planning  while  the  Army  sleeps,"  size, 
4  feet  by  3  feet  9  inches. 

Base  relief,  "Missionary  Ridge,"  size  4  feet  by  3  feet  9  inches. 

Badge  of  vSociety  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  size,  5  feet  by  i  foot  6 
inches. 

Coat  of  arms  of  the  United  States,  size,  5  feet  by  i  foot  6  inches. 

On  the  four  corner  pedestals: 

Statue  representing  "The  Corps  of  Engineers,"  height,  6  feet  6  inches. 

Statue  representing  "The  Cavalry,"  height,  6  feet  6  inches. 

Statue  representing  "The  Artillery,"  height,  6  feet  6  inches. 

Statue  representing  "The  Infantry,"  height,  6  feet  6  inches. 

Eight  portrait  medallions  to  be  selected  by  the  commander  of  the  Army 
of  the  Tennessee,  i  foot  3  inches  by  i  foot  3  inches. 

Models  of  all  the  above  to  be  prepared  by  the  party  of  the  first  part  and 
submitted  for  the  approval  of  the  parties  of  the  second  part  before  cast. 

To  be  cast  in  United  States  standard  bronze  from  one-fourth  to  three- 
eighths  of  an  inch  in  thickness.  Samples  subject  to  test. 

The  bottom  edge  of  the  plinth  of  all  the  statues  to  be  filed  true  and  out 
of  wind,  so  as  to  fit  closely  to  the  granite. 

The  equestrian  statue  to  have  two  pieces  of  steel  2^2  inches  square  cast 
solid  in  one  of  the  fore  legs  and  in  one  of  the  hind  legs  of  the  horse;  to 
extend  into  the  cap  stone  i  foot,  and  to  be  secured  firmly  in  place  by  type 
metal  run  hot  around  them.  In  addition  to  these  bars  to  be  two  bronze 
expansion  bolts  \l/2  inches  in  diameter  put  down  through  the  bronze 
plinth,  extending  into  the  granite  capstone  9  inches,  the  bolts  being  of 
Tobin  bronze. 

All  the  other  statues  to  be  securely  fastened  to  the  granite  with  bronze 
expansion  bolts  of  a  suitable  size  and  of  the  same  material.  All  base 
reliefs,  medallions,  and  emblems  to  be  securely  fastened  to  the  granite 
with  bronze  bolts  of  the  same  metal  as  the  base  reliefs,  the  outside  ends 
headed  and  finished  not  to  show. 

The  work  specified  to  be  done  by  the  artist  and  not  by  others. 

The  parties  of  the  first  part  covenanted  to  pay  out  of  the  appropriations 
the  aggregate  sum  of  $79,000,  and  from  funds  subscribed  and  furnished  by 
the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  the  further  sum  of  $11,000. 


Introduction.  23 

Payments  to  t>e  made  as  follows: 

First.  Five  thousand  dollars  when  the  foundation  shall  be  completed 
ready  for  setting  the  pedestal  and  accepted. 

Second.  Fifteen  thousand  dollars  when  the  pedestal  shall  be  completed 
and  ready  for  the  equestrian  statue  and  accepted. 

Third.  Fifteen  thousand  dollars  when  the  terrace  shall  be  completed 
and  accepted. 

Fourth.  Five  thousand  dollars  when  the  entire  granite  and  brickwork 
shall  be  completed  and  accepted. 

Fifth.  Twenty  thousand  dollars  upon  the  completion  and  acceptance  of 
the  bronze  equestrian  statue  and  all  other  bronze  work  at  the  foundry  free 
of  all  incumbrances. 

Sixth.  Nineteen  thousand  dollars  when  the  bronze  statue,  emblems, 
base  reliefs,  etc.,  are  all  in  position  and  the  whole  work  completed  and 
accepted  by  the  parties  of  the  first  part. 

The  $  1 1,000  paid  by  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  through 
its  president  to  be: 

First.  Two  thousand  dollars  on  signing  of  the  contract  for  work  on 
accepted  models. 

Second.  Two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  when  the  plaster  model  of 
the  equestrian  group  was  accepted. 

Third.  Two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  when  plaster  models  of  the 
two  groups,  bas-reliefs,  and  emblems  were  accepted. 

Fourth.  Two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  when  plaster  models  of  the 
four  corner  figures  were  accepted. 

Fifth.  One  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  when  all  the  bronze  work  was 
cast  and  accepted  at  the  foundry. 

All  these  terms  were  to  lie  carried  out  under  the  direction  of 
General  Dodge,  representing  the  commission,  by  the  United 
States  engineer  of  public  buildings  and  grounds  in  charge  of  the 
work  on  the  monument. 

The  subfoundation  of  the  statue,  which  was  completed  in 
December,  1898,  contains  397.7  cubic  yards  of  concrete;  i ,  142  of 
sand  and  filling;  284  of  back  filling,  and  i, 680  of  excavation; 
204  piles,  and  19,717  feet  of  timber. 


24  Introduction. 

The  following  are  the  measurements  proposed  by  the  sculptor 
in  the  accepted  model  and  enlargements  proposed  by  the  com- 


mission  : 


By  the 
sculptor. 

By  the 
commis 
sion  . 

Ft.  in. 

47     6 

Ft.  in. 

SO     6 

17     6 

17      6 

Ground  covered  from  steps  in  front  to  steps  in  rear  

55     8 

S9     8 

Height  of  u  War  "  and  "  Peace  "  

8     6 

Q      6 

6     6 

DEATH    OF   THE   SCULPTOR. 

At  the  meeting  of  December  3,  1900,  General  Dodge,  presi 
dent,  announced  the  death  of  the  sculptor  at  Copenhagen, 
Denmark,  on  August  20,  which  was  communicated  by  cable 
August  21  and  letter  August  29,  1900.  Also  of  the  desire  of 
the  widow  of  the  sculptor  to  complete  the  statue  herself  with 
such  artistic  assistance  as  she  could  secure.  It  was  agreed  to 
permit  the  personal  representatives  of  the  late  Carl  Rohl-Smith 
to  proceed  without  unnecessary  delay  to  perform  the  contract 
in  accordance  with  the  designs  approved. 

Meetings  were  held  from  time  to  time  as  the  work  progressed 
and  to  meet  exigencies  as  they  arose.  Every  facility  in  the 
way  of  a  building  \vas  arranged  for  the  convenience  of  the 
sculptor. 

On  February  1.9,  1898,  the  order  for  the  construction  of  the 
foundation  and  pedestal  was  given  by  the  commission,  and  work 
began  in  the  spring. 


THE  STATUE. 


MIKKMAX   H.A/.A. 
many  suWestio,,s  and  ohjectio 


TV,,  "for  tht'Societ>   of  the  , 

;i>41W"*:'/Mlf!V,^!l''ty)*r>'>'l)1<>'/:  -.ill  moiJ  '' 

I'le  I  re-usury  Departniei 
lhr  norlli  f>v  the  street  nmn,-,liatrl\ 

"led    and  ,,n  the  \\cst  },v  t]1( 
around    t!u-   ellipse    in  '    tl 

Ar       .  '   ^wth    grounds   of 

Mansion. 

the  appn.priat!..- 

urgent   neficn    . 


VIEW  OF  THE  SHERMAN   MONUMENT 

From  tlif  Northeast  ( Pennsylvania  avenue). 


THE  STATUE. 


SHKKMAN    ri.AZA. 

After  many  suggestions  and  objections  by  Congress  to  the 
Kast  Plaza  of  the  Capitol,  the  Secretary  of  War,  Mr.  Laniont, 
the  Commanding  General  of  the  Army,  General  Miles,  and  the 
president  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  General 
Dodge,  selected  as  the  site  "  for  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee's  equestrian  statue  of  General  Sherman"  that  por 
tion  of  the  grounds  south  of  the  Treasury  Department,  bounded 
as  follows:  On  the  north  by  the  street  immediately  south  of  the 
Treasury  Department;  on  the  east  by  Fifteenth  street;  on  the 
south  by  D  street  extended,  and  on  the  west  by  the  gravel  road 
around  the  ellipse  and  the  south  grounds  of  the  Executive 
Mansion. 

By  the  appropriation  act  (urgent  deficiency  )  approved  Feb 
ruary  1 8,  1904,  Congress  declared:  "and  for  the  improvement 
of  the  grounds  in  its  (the  monument)  vicinity,  which  grounds 
shall  be  hereafter  known  as  Sherman  Pla/.a." 

This  gives  the  site  its  official  name  and  embraces  the  area 
defined  by  the  bounds  as  fixed  above  by  the  Sherman  Statue 
Commission. 

The  site  is  commanding  and  in  keeping  with  the  fame  of  the 
subject  of  commemoration.  On  the  north  rises  the  Greek  por 
tico  of  the  Treasury  Department,  suggesting  the  classic  in 
architecture.  On  the  east  stretches  away  toward  the  Capitol 

(25) 


26  The  Statue. 

Pennsylvania  avenue,  the  via  triumphalis  of  Washington,  remi 
niscent  of  the  great  review  and  reminding  of  the  everyday  life 
of  the  city. 

On  the  south  stretch  beautiful  landscape  effects,  with  the 
tall,  slender  outline  of  the  Washington  Monument  in  the  dis 
tance.  On  the  west  are  seen  the  picturesque  trees  and  drives 
of  the  south  park  of  the  White  House,  with  a  glimpse  of  the 
chaste  white  Ionic  outlines  of  the  home  of  the  Presidents 
through  the  varicolored  foliage. 

THE  SCULPTOR. 

Carl  Rohl-Smith  was  born  at  Roskild,  Denmark,  April  3, 
1848.  In  his  early  years  he  showed  the  artistic  bent  of  his 
thoughts  by  many  well-executed  pieces  in  such  rude  material 
as  he  found  at  hand.  As  a  youth  he  was  given  the  advantage 
of  instruction  and  practice  under  some  of  the  best  Danish  sculp 
tors.  After  acquiring  considerable  reputation  in  Europe  he 
came  to  the  United  States  in  the  early  eighties,  locating  in 
Chicago  and  becoming  a  naturalized  citizen.  He  not  only  stood 
in  the  first  rank  of  his  profession,  but,  possessing  the  character 
istics  of  a  striking  personality,  had  won  friends  in  every  walk  of 
life.  Among  his  best  works  are  the  Soldiers  and  Sailors'  Mon 
ument,  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa;  the  Indian  Massacre,  an  order 
from  the  late  George  Pullman;  the  Frontiersman,  at  Austin, 
Tex.,  and  statues  for  the  Woman's  Temple,  Chicago.  Upon 
securing  the  Sherman  commission  he  removed  to  Washington. 
In  1900,  as  a  brief  respite  from  his  labors,  he  visited  Denmark, 
where  he  was  suddenly  taken  fatally  ill,  his  death  occurring  on 
August  20  of  that  year  in  Denmark. 

The  story  of  the  inauguration  of  the  work  and  its  prosecu 
tion,  as  well  as  the  sentiment  wrought  in  bronze,  is  impressively 
told  by  the  widow  of  the  deceased  sculptor. 


S.  Doo.  320— .VW. 


SHERMAN   PLAZA. 
Locution,  boundaries,  and  position  of  the  Sherman  Monument  and  its* 


S.  Doc.  320—58-2. 


CARL   ROHL-SMITH,    SCULPTOR. 


The  Sin  Inc.  27 

THK    STORY    ()!•'    THK    SIIKKMAN    MOXl'MKXT. 
Hy  Mrs.  CAKI.  ROHI.-SMITII. 

As  the  result  of  a  comi>etition  held  in  January,  1896,  Carl  Rohl-Sinith 
was  selected  the  designer  and  sculptor  of  the  Sherman  monument. 

His  sketches,  which  were  commenced  in  the  previous  year,  underwent 
some  elaboration  before  his  signing  the  contract  with  the  representatives 
of  the  rtovernment  of  the  United  States  and  the  Society  of  the  Army  of 
the  Tennessee,  wherein  he  agreed  to  complete  the  monument  in  four 
years  for  the  sum  of  $90,000,  giving  his  Ixjnd  for  foo.ixjo. 

In  the  summer  of  1897  he  moved  to  Washington,  I).  C.,  where  he  erected 
a  studio  and  worked  incessantly  for  three  years  to  make  the  monument  a 
success.  Finding  the  time  allowed  in  the  original  contract  to  be  insuffi 
cient,  he  applied  for  and  was  granted  one  year's  extension,  which  placed 
the  time  of  completion  to  I)eceml>er,  1901,  stating  in  his  letter  of  applica 
tion,  "If  one  year  is  not  enough,  I  shall  ask  for  more.  This  work  should 
not  suffer  on  account  of  lack  of  time." 

On  August  2o,  1900,  Carl  Rohl-Smith  died  in  Copenhagen,  Denmark. 

As  to  the  location  of  the  monument  and  the  general  idea  by  which  he 
had  been  guided  in  the  elalx>ration  of  the  sketch  model,  Rohl-Smith 
expressed  himself  in  the  detailed  description  accompanying  his  design  as 
follows:  "The  gentle  sloping  grounds  south  of  the  Treasury  building, 
with  the  noble  Greek  architecture,  makes  one  of  the  finest  sites  in  the 
country  for  a  colossal  monument,  and  in  elaborating  my  sketch  model  I 
have  chosen  to  preserve  the  classic  style  of  my  first  model,  Ixjth  because 
I  think  it  is  the  most  expressive  form  for  representing  General  SHKRMAX 
in  sculpture,  and  at  the  same  time  it  brings  the  monument  into  harmony 
with  this  splendid  building.  I  regard  it  as  highly  important  that  the 
monument  be  thus  brought  into  artistic  harmony  and  relation  with  its 
surroundings.  The  canons  of  art  and  the  rules  for  placing  monuments  in 
ancient  and  modern  times  all  point  in  this  direction,  and  I  think  it  would 
be  fatal  to  the  artistic  success  of  the  memorial  to  disregard  these  consid 
erations." 

Rohl-Smith  wa$  much  impressed  with  the  character  of  General  SHKR 
MAX  and  decided  to  portray  him  in  his  full  vigor,  as  he  was  known  by  all 
his  fellow-participants  in  the  war. 

The    monument    having    such    a    commanding    jx>sition.    <>verl<x>king 


28  The  Statue. 

historic  Pennsylvania  avenue,  the  sculptor  thought  the  most  fitting  repre 
sentation  of  SHERMAN  was  to  picture  him  as,  "on  the  happiest  day  of  his 
life,"  he  rode  up  the  avenue,  with  a  true  military  bearing,  acknowledging 
the  plaudits  of  the  people.  Rohl-Smith  thought  that  SHERMAN  on  such 
an  occasion  would  select  a  gentle  animal,  and  has  portrayed  the  man  as 
having  complete  control  over  the  horse,  both  the  rider  and  his  mount 
being  at  ease,  perfectly  understanding  each  other. 

The  bas-reliefs  are  meant  to  suggest  episodes  from  SHERMAN'S  life. 
The  "  March  through  Georgia  "  (on  the  north  side)  was  found  not  to  be 
so  dangerous  as  feared  in  the  North.  The  men  are  singing  and  somebody 
calling  out  to  "  Uncle  Billy,"  who  is  coming  up  from  behind,  accompanied 
by  his  staff — Dayton,  McCoy,  and  Auclenried— with  Osterhaus  farther  out 
to  the  left,  while  the  colored  folks,  hearing  the  clatter  of  the  hoofs,  have 
stepped  outside  their  huts  and  with  awe  look  at  the  spectacle,  not  exactly 
understanding  the  "  cause." 

The  "  Battle  of  Atlanta,"  on  the  south  side  of  the  monument,  is  not  so 
much  intended  to  give  the  historical  facts,  which  all  know,  as  the  sense  of 
the  battle  witnessed  from  General  SHERMAN'S  headquarters,  so  well 
described  in  his  own  memoirs.  Hearing  the  cannonade,  he  and  his  staff 
are  seen  outside  the  Howard  house,  listening  to  what  is  going  on  in  the 
distance. 

To  give  the  effect  of  a  scene  6  or  7  miles  distant  in  a  bas-relief  is  a  diffi 
cult  undertaking,  but  Rohl-Smith  has  made  the  attempt  in  his  endeavor 
to  picture  the  Sixteenth  Army  Corps  repulsing  the  attack  of  the  opposing 
forces,  thereby  saving  the  army  from  defeat.  Nothing  but  smoke  can  be 
seen  from  headquarters.  McPherson  has  left  a  short  while  ago.  Little 
do  they  expect  that  the  escort  which  is  nearing  ( in  the  left  corner  of  the 
bas-relief)  shall  be  an  escort  for  his  body.  Generals  Howard  and  Schofield 
were  for  a  short  time  with  SHERMAN  at  headquarters,  and  Colonel  Poe  is 
seen  giving  information  from  a  chart. 

"  Sherman  at  the  Campfire,"  on  the  west  side,  is  a  free  conception  after 
the  words  of  Col.  S.  H.  M.  Byers  in  Some  Personal  Recollections  of 
General  Sherman:  "While  others  slept  his  little  campfire  was  burning, 
and  often  in  the  long  vigils  of  the  night  I  have  seen  a  tall  form  walking 
up  and  down  by  that  fire."  And  later:  "It  was  a  singularly  impressive 
sight  to  see  this  solitary  figure  walking  there  by  the  flickering  campfire 
while  the  army  slept." 


The  Statue.  29 

By  "Missionary  Ridge"  on  the  east  side  is  thought  <>f  the  trying  day 
when  SUKRMAX  had  his  troops  engaged  from  "dawn  of  day."  He  is 
seen  waiting — waiting  for  signs  of  General  Thomas  moving  on  the  center. 
His  men  are  fighting  on  the  hills  in  the  backgrounds. 

There  are  two  groups,  "War"  and  "Peace,"  one  on  each  side  of  the 
monument.  "\Var"is  personified  by  a  terrible  woman  who  tramples 
humanity  under  feet,  tearing  all  ties  asunder,  illustrating  SHERMAN'S 
words,  "War  is  hell  !"  With  her  are  vultures. 

"  Peace"  is  shown  as  a  young  girl  with  a  flowering  branch  of  a  fruit  tree. 
At  her  feet  we  see  at  one  side  the  strong  taking  care  of  the  weak;  at  the 
other,  the  animals  being  fed — intended  to  give  the  ideal  and  the  material 
side  of  life. 

To  erect  a  monument  in  honor  of  this  great  commander  without  doing 
honor  to  his  men  would  hardly  be  in  the  spirit  of  the  man.  Therefore 
there  are  medallions  of  his  army  and  corps  commanders:  McPherson- 
Howard,  I,ogan-Illair,  Dodge-Ransom,  and  Grierson-Smith,  and  four  sol 
diers  on  watch  around  the  monument.  They  represent  Infantry,  Cavalry, 
Artillery,  and  Engineers,  but  Rohl -Smith  was  more  interested  in  giving 
the  different  types  of  good  American  boys,  which  made  up  the  army, 
believing  that  the  uniforms  were  not  the  most  essential  features. 

The  badge  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  is  given  on  the 
south  side,  below  the  "Battle  of  Atlanta." 

The  pedestal  is  built  by  the  Harrison  Granite  Company,  of  New  York, 
and  the  granite  furnished  by  the  Fletcher  Granite  Company,  of  Vermont. 

The  site  chosen  for  the  monument  presented  difficulties,  for  it  was 
made  ground  and  water  was  discovered  in  the  Ixjttom.  It  was  found 
necessary  to  sink  piles  to  a  depth  of  35  feet  below  the  original  foundation, 
so  that  the  depth  of  the  foundation  became  deeper  than  the  height  above 
ground.  For  the  additional  foundation  Congress  appropriated  the  sum 
of  nearly  $10,000. 

Hy  the  time  of  Rohl-Smith's  death  the  monument  was  brought  so  far  for 
ward  that  the  commission  in  charge  of  the  work  deemed  it  l>est  to  let  his 
widow  have  it  completed  according  to  his  plans  and  desires.  The  granite 
pedestal  was  set  and  paid  for  by  the  Government  in  the  spring  of  1900.  Of 
the  sculpture,  the  working  model  for  the  equestrian  and  the  three  full- 
sized  soldiers  were  completed.  The  fourth  was  commenced  in  wax.  The 
four  bas-reliefs  were  nearly  completed,  and  the  armature  for  the  colossal 


30  The  Statue. 

equestrian  was  built,  ready  for  the  wax.  The  models  for  the  groups 
"War"  and  "Peace"  were  carefully  worked  out  in  accordance  with  the 
monument. 

Lauritz  Jensen,  of  Copenhagen,  completed  the  colossal  equestrian.  He 
also  put  the  final  touches  on  the  bas-reliefs  and  made  the  badge  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee.  Sigvald  Asbjornsen,  of  Chicago,  completed  the 
fourth  soldier,  and  Mrs.  Theo.  A.  Ruggles  Kitson,  of  Boston,  made  the 
four  double  medallions.  Stephen  Binding,  of  Copenhagen,  started  the 
groups  "War"  and  "  Peace"  in  Denmark,  after  having  promised  to  bring 
them  over  and  complete  them  in  the  United  States.  As  they  were  about 
to  be  shipped  he  was  taken  ill,  and  sent  Carl  J.  Bonnesen  in  his  place. 
After  having  completed  the  group  "Peace"  he  returned  to  Denmark, 
and  Sigvald  Asbjornsen  completed  the  group  "War." 

All  the  sculpture  is  cast  by  the  Gorham  Manufacturing  Company,  Prov 
idence,  R.  I. 

According  to  Rohl-Smith's  desire,  a  band  of  mosaic  is  laid  around  the 
monument,  6  feet  wide,  with  two  low  steps.  In  the  mosaic  is  laid  the 
names  of  all  the  battles  in  which  SHERMAN  took  part.  Congress  appro 
priated  $8,000  for  the  mosaic,  Mrs.  Rohl-Smith  made  the  design,  and 
the  National  Mosaic  Company,  of  Washington,  D.  C.,  has  laid  it. 

INSCRIPTIONS,  EMBLEMS,  AND    BAS-RELIEFS. 

The  following  are  the  inscriptions,  subjects  of  the  bronze 
bas-reliefs,  medallions,  figures,  and  emblems  on  the  pedestal 
and  mosaic  pavement  around  the  base  of  the  statue: 

[North.] 

WILLIAM  TECUMSBH  SHERMAN 

1820-1891 

Bas-relief — Sherman's  March  through  Georgia 

"On  no  earthly  account  will  I  do  any  act  or 

think  any  thought  hostile  to  or  in  defiance 

of  the  Old  Government  of  the  United  States" 

Alexandria,  La.,  Jan.  iSth,  1861. 

"War's  Legitimate  Object  Is  More 

Perfect  Peace." 
Washington,  I).  C.,  Feby.  23rd,  1882 


The  Statue.  31 

Inscriptions  in  the  mosaic  pavement  at  the  base  of  the  pedestal: 
11  Griswoldville — Waynesboro     Fort  McAllister    -Capture  of  Savannah 
Averaslxjro — Bentunville  -Durham  Station — Surrender  of  Johnston's 

Army." 

Bronze  figures  northeast  angle  of  base:   "Artillery" 
Bronze  figures  northwest  angle  of  base:   "  Infantry." 

[East.] 

Allegorical  group  "Peace." 

Bas-relief  "Battle  of  Missionary  Ridge." 

Medallions  north  side  of  bas-relief: 

McPherson. 

Howard. 
South  side  of  bas-relief: 

Grierson. 
A.  J.  Smith. 

Bronze  figures  northeast  angle:   "Artillery." 

Bronze  figures  southeast  angle:  "Cavalry." 

Mosaic  pavement  around  the  base — inscriptions: 

"  Kenesaw  Mountain — Ruff's  Mill — Peach  Tree  Creek-  Atlanta — 

K/.ra  Church — Utoy  Creek — Jonesboro — Capture  of  Atlanta— Allatoona. " 

[South.] 

Seminole  War,  1840-1842 

War  in  Mexico,  1847-1848 

Occupation  of  California 

Civil  war,  1861-1865 

General  commanding 

the  Army  of  the  United  States 

1869-1884 

Bas-relief:   "The  Battle  of  Atlanta." 

Spread  eagle  in  bronze  with 

shield  on  breast 

i  /cartridge  t>ox\  3" 
\    40  rounds    / 

Erected  by  the 

Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee 
with  the  aid  of 


"Should  he  1-5  Sherman's  corps  command. 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 3 


32  The  Statue. 

The  Congress  of  the  United  States 

1903. 

Bronze  figures  southeast  angle:  "Cavalry." 

Bronze  figures  southwest  angle:  "  Engineers." 

Mosaic  pavement  around  the  base — inscriptions: 

"Chattanooga — Ringgold — Missionary  Ridge — Relief  of  Knoxville- 

Meridian  Expedition — Dalton— Resaca — New  Hope  Church — 

Dallas — Kulp's  Farm." 

[West.] 

Allegorical  group  "  War" 

Bas-relief  "  Sherman  in  camp  at  night." 

Medallions  north  side  of  bas-relief: 

Blair 

Logan 

South  side  of  bas-relief: 
Ransom 
Dodge 

Bronze  figures  northwest  angle:   "  Infantry" 
Bronze  figures  southwest  angle:   "  Engineers." 
Mosaic  pavement  around  the  base — inscriptions: 
"Bull  Run  — Shiloh — Corinth — Chickasaw  Bluffs- 
Arkansas  Post — Steeles  Bayou — Jackson — Vicksburg — Colliersville. ' 


S.  Doc.  320— 58-2. 


Parade 
Reviewed 
iy  the  President 
andGuesfs. 


THE        U.  S.TREASURY   DEPARTMENT 


THE  SHERMAN   MONUMENT. 
Plan  of  stands  and  court  during  the  ceremonies  of  unveiling,  October  15,  1903. 


THE  ARRANGEMENTS. 


In  every  resj>ect  the  preparations  were  on  a  scale  and  in 
design  in  entire  harmony  with  the  memorial  character  of  the 
event  and  the  fame  of  the  subject  of  commemoration. 

THK    STANDS. 

The  arrangement  of  the  stands  afforded  an  admirable  view 
of  the  statue  and  entire  proceedings,  and  being  within  hearing 
distance  of  the  speakers  the  assemblage  possessed  a  decided 
advantage  over  previous  occasions  of  a  similar  character.  The 
grand  stand  (white)  extended  across  the  north  side  of  the 
inclosure  facing  south,  the  front  of  the  statue,  for  the  accom 
modation  of  the  President  and  official  and  nonofficial  guests. 

The  right  or  west  stand  (blue)  faced  obliquely  to  the  north 
east,  looking  toward  the  President's  seat,  and  was  arranged  in 
eight  divisions  for  the  use  of  the  societies  of  the  Armies  of  the 
Tennessee  and  Cumberland.  The  left  or  east  (red)  stand,  also 
in  eight  divisions,  faced  obliquely  to  the  northwest  toward  the 
grand  stand  and  was  set  apart  for  the  societies  of  the  Armies 
of  the  Potomac  and  Ohio.  At  the  foot  of  the  western  half  of 
the  front  of  the  grand  stand  were  seats  and  tables  for  the  press 
and  a  Western  Union  telegraph  operator,  wires  having  been 
connected  with  the  main  office.  About  150  park  settees  for 
maimed  soldiers  of  the  civil  war,  in  blue  and  white,  were 
arranged  obliquely  facing  inward  along  the  eastern  and  western 
sides  of  the  base  of  the  statue. 

(33) 


34  The  Arrangements. 

The  seating  accommodations  aggregated  2,400,  viz.,  grand 
stand  (north),  350;  those  on  either  side  (east  and  west),  each 
1,050;  the  park  settees,  about  500. 

THK    FLAG    DECORATIONS. 

The  colors  employed  were  national — red,  white,  and  blue. 
The  President's  stand,  being  the  center  of  attraction,  was  not 
only  tastefully  arrayed  with  an  outside  display  of  national  flags, 
but  within  was  entirely  covered  and  draped  in  the  ceiling  and 
supports  of  the  roof  and  sides  and  rear.  In  this  were  used  10 
large  garrison  flags,  25  post  flags,  22  storm  flags,  100  small 
camp-color  flags,  563  yards  of  white  cheese  cloth  in  covering 
the  ceiling  and  supports  of  the  roof,  and  275  yards  of  colored 
cheese  cloth  on  the  outer  posts  of  the  stand  to  conform  with 
the  flag  decoration.  Also  a  large  number  of  smaller  decorations, 
as  eagles,  shields,  small  silk,  flags,  etc.  The  draping  over  the 
front,  sides,  and  back  was  particularly  effective. 

At  either  corner  on  the  front  was  a  corps  flag.  The  part  of 
the  grand  stand  used  by  the  President,  Cabinet,  and  other  noted 
guests  was  furnished  in  keeping  with  the  surroundings,  the 
President's  seat  being  a  large  leather  overstuffed  armchair,  and 
those  of  the  members  of  the  Cabinet,  speakers,  and  other  dis 
tinguished  guests  golden  oak  leather  cushioned.  The  floor 
was  covered  with  Turkish  rugs.  Strips  of  carpet  were  placed 
on  the  steps  to  the  stand  and  three  aisles  leading  to  the  reserved 
seats.  In  the  decoration  of  the  wing  stands  9  post  flags  were 
draped  in  front  between  the  sections,  and  9  storm  flags  and  9 
corps  flags  on  staffs  were  flown  over  the  front  and  back  about 
the  center  of  the  seating  sections  with  excellent  effect. 

The  statue  was  hidden  behind  2  large  garrison  flags  placed 
parallel  to  the  sides,  suspended  by  rings  from  a  guide  wire  east 
and  west  and  looped  t6gether  at  the  top,  front,  and  rear.  The 


The  Arrangements.  35 

loosing  cord  in  front  was  arranged  to  disengage  the  flags  at  the 
top.  At  the  lower  end  for  the  time  being  hung  a  weighted 
cluster  of  flowers  and  ribbons.  The  figures  at  the  four  corners 
of  the  base  were  each  wrapped  in  a  post  flag,  so  arranged  as  to 
be  conveniently  removed. 

FLORAL    DISPLAY. 

The  flower  features  were  particularly  elaborate  and  artistic. 
As  a  center  piece  rose  the  pedestal  and  surmounting  statue 
with  its  draping  of  the  national  emblem.  On  the  steps  at  each 
of  the  four  sides  leading  up  to  the  mosaic  platform  around  the 
base  stood  at  an  incline  a  shield  6  feet  high  of  red,  white,  and 
blue  everlastings,  with  a  border  bearing  its  appropriate  inscrip 
tion — that  on  the  north  steps,  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Ten 
nessee;  east,  Potomac;  south,  Ohio;  west,  Cumberland.  At 
the  foot  of  each  shield  lay  two  branches  of  palms,  the  stems 
crossed  and  fastened  with  ribbons.  At  the  foot  of  each  of  the 
corner  figures  was  a  wreath  of  leaves  7  feet  in  diameter. 

Between  the  foot  of  each  shield  and  these  wreaths,  and  con 
necting  them,  ran  a  festoon  of  laurel  leaves  7  inches  in  diam 
eter  entirely  around  the  mosaic  platform. 

Against  each  corner,  at  the  foot  of  the  base,  stood  a  wooden 
shield,  hand  painted  in  gold,  6  feet  high,  each  emblazoned 
with  the  arms  of  one  of  the  four  societies — northeast,  Potomac; 
southeast,  Ohio;  southwest,  Cumberland;  northwest,  Tennes 
see.  These  shields  were  united  by  an  inner  line  of  festoons  of 
galox  leaves,  forming  a  semicircle,  from  corner  to  corner, 
passing  around  by  the  top  of  the  floral  shields  first  mentioned, 
being  caught  with  floral  knots.  The  total  length  of  these  fes 
toons  was  about  400  feet." 


'i The  flowers  were  from  the  propagating  gardens  of  the  office  of  public  buildings 
and  grounds  and  the  floral  shields,  festoons,  etc.,  were  furnished  by  A.  Glide  &  Co., 
florists.  Washington.  D.  C. 


36  TVz^  Arrangements. 

INVITATIONS. 

Under  the  direction  of  Col.  T.  W.  Symons,.  circulars  of  request 
for  lists  of  officers  of  the  various  branches  of  the  Government 
and  others  proper  to  be  invited  were  issued.  Based  upon  the 
schedules  of  names  officially  reported  in  reply,  2,171  invitations 
were  distributed. 

In  order  to  avoid  the  confusion  hitherto  attending  similar 
occasions,  the  invitation  card  embodied  the  name  of  the  guest, 
as  follows: 

FORM    OF    INVITATION. 

The  Sherman  Statue  Commission 
requests  the  honor  of  the  presence  of 

at  the  unveiling  of  the  Statue  of 
General  William  Tecumseh  Sherman 

at  the  corner  of  Pennsylvania  Avenue  and  Fifteenth  Street,  X.  W. 

October  Fifteenth,  nineteen  hundred  and  three 

at  two  thirty  o'clock. 


Commission 
Major  Genl.  Grenville  M.  Dodge,  President,  Society  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 

Hon.  Robert  Shaw  Oliver,  Acting  Secretary  of  \Var. 

Lieut.  Genl.  S.  B.  M.  Young,  Chief  of  Staff,  U.  S.  Army. 

Colonel  Thomas  W.  Symons,  Corps  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  Army, 

in  charge  of  Monument  and  Ceremonies. 

FORM  OF  REQUEST  FOR  REPLY. 

The  favor  of  a  reply  is  requested 

addressed  to 

Colonel  T.  \V.  Symons, 

I".  S.  Army,  Washington,  I).  C. 

These  were  inclosed  in  an  envelope  officially  marked—  - 

OFFICE  OF 

THE  SHERMAN  STATUE  COMMISSION 

1729  NEW  YORK  AVENUE, 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 

(Superscription.) 
(Address. ) 


The  Arrangements.  37 

The  result  was  eminently  satisfactory,  each  guest  being  pro 
vided  with  a  correctly  assigned  seat,  and  practically  all  seats 
being  occupied.  Others  were  debarred  from  occupying  places 
during  the  unseemly  rushes  which  had  so  often  marred  the 
dignity  and  comfort  of  public  ceremonies  of  this  character. 

As  data  for  future  reference  it  should  be  said  that  from  the 
2,171  invitations  issued  1,600  replies  were  received,  of  which 
about  1,100  were  acceptances.  The  invitations  were  mailed  to 
their  respective  superscriptions  alxnit  three  weeks  in  advance 
of  the  event.  A  check  list  of  acceptances  and  declinations  and 
those  not  responded  to  was  kept.  Upon  the  acceptance  list 
tickets  to  the  stands  were  classified  and  issued  so  as  to  bring 
together  in  a  body  the  official  group,  organization,  or  society  in 
the  particular  section  assigned  to  it.  As  far  as  possible  in  the 
arrangement  of  sections  the  usual  order  of  precedence  was 
observed,  the  President's  stand  naturally  being  the  post  of 
honor  and  the  objective  point  from  which  the  entire  system  was 
arranged. 

In  connection  with  the  specific  lists,  blank  invitations  aggre 
gating  750  were  given  to  the  societies  of  the  four  armies  with 
which  General  Sherman  had  been  associated — of  the  Tennessee, 
of  the  Cumberland,  of  the  Ohio,  and  of  the  Potomac — for  distri 
bution  among  their  visiting  comrades. 

TICKETS. 

With  an  authoritative  list  of  acceptances  classified  and  an 
arrangement  of  seats  to  correspond,  of  which  there  was  a  work 
ing  plan  exhibiting  seat  numbers  to  correspond  with  ticket 
numbers,  the  placing  of  holders  of  invitations  was  rapid  and 
convenient.  The  seat  tickets,  in  small  envelopes,  contained  the 
name  of  the  stand,  the  numl>er  and  location  being  inserted  in 
red  ink  on  the  typewritten  list.  By  this  means  it  was  also 


38  The  Arrangements. 

possible  to  locate  certain  guests  or  to  issue  duplicates  of  the 
same  ticket,  with  a  check  upon  any  further  attempt  on  the 
same  seat. 

ADMISSION    TICKETS    FORM. 

Ticket. 
Sec.  North  (East  or  West)  Coupon 

Stand  No. No. 


Admit  Bearer 

to  the 
Unveiling  Ceremonies 

of  the 

Sherman  Statue. 

Guests  should  be  in  their  seats  by  2  P.  M. 
in  order  to  see  the  parade  and  review  be 
fore  the  unveiling  ceremonies. 


EAST 
STAND 


Washington,  D.  C.,  Oct.  isth,  1903.  Sec. 

White. 

Colors.  (The  President,  Commission,  Diplo- 

North  Stand  (The  President's).  made  Corps,  Senators,  Represent 

atives,  and  other  guests. ) 

Red. 

East  Stand.  (Societies  of  the  Armies  of  the  Ohio 

and  Potomac.) 

Blue. 

West  Stand.  (Societies  of  the  Tennessee  and  the 

Cumberland. ) 

An  overflow  ticket  (green)  was  issued  for  south  entrance, 
east  and  west,  admitting  only  after  the  parade  and  review. 
Seats  on  park  settees  011  the  court  were  provided. 

POLICE    ARRANGEMENTS. 

In  order  to  facilitate  the  movement  of  the  military  and  naval 
parade,  and  to  maintain  peace  and  order  in  connection  with  the 
exercises,  ample  details  of  officers,  mounted  men,  and  privates 
of  the  Metropolitan  force,  with  careful  instructions,  were 
stationed  along  the  route  of  parade,  clearing  the  streets  from 


The  Arrangements.  39 

curb  to  curb,  and  near  the  stands,  with  directions  to  regulate 
the  arrival  and  departure  of  carriages  according  to  the  circular 
of  rules,  to  keep  the  areas  inside  of  the  ropes  about  the  statue 
space  clear  of  obstructions  or  intrusion,  and  to  maintain  a 
clear  space  of  at  least  20  feet  on  either  side  for  the  entrance 
and  departure  of  the  distinguished  guests  from  the  White 
House;  also  to  keep  the  avenues  south  clear  of  vehicles,  and 
regulate  the  arrival  and  departure  of  such  as  are  permitted  to 
enter.  It  was  specially  noted  that  persons  having  a  white, 
red,  blue,  or  green  ticket  with  section  and  stand  noted  thereon, 
as  per  samples,  were  to  be  admitted  to  all  inclosures.  Jt  was 
also  required  to  exercise  care  in  properly  directing  and  assisting 
all  persons  having  tickets.  A  patrol  wagon  and  ambulance 
were  in  readiness.  Members  of  the  force,  except  along  route 
of  parade,  appeared  in  sack  coats  and  white'  gloves. 

CARRIAGE    REGULATIONS. 

The  rules  to  be  observed  by  carriages  in  attendance  at  the 
ceremonies  were  equally  successful,  as  follows: 

All  carriages  entered  from  the  north  by  way  of  east  Kxecu- 
tive  avenue,  between  the  Treasury  building  and  the  White 
House,  and  the  occupants  were  required  to  exhibit  their  tickets, 
admitting  them  to  the  reviewing  stands,  to  the  policemen 
stationed  at  the  head  of  this  avenue. 

Carriages  then  proceeded  down  this  avenue  to  the  reviewing 
stands,  leaving  their  occupants  at  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
Treasury  building. 

No  carriages  were  permitted  to  enter  the  roadway  between 
the  Treasury  building  and  the  reviewing  stands,  passengers 
l>eing  obliged  to  l>e  left  at  the  point  designated. 

After  leaving  passengers  carriages  continued  on  the  road 
way,  following  the  iron  fence  south  of  the  White  House  to 


40  The  Arrangements. 

Pennsylvania  avenue  by  the  way  of  west  Executive  avenue, 
between  the  State,  War,  and  Navy  building  and  the  Executive 
office  building,  and  were  parked  in  east  Executive  avenue,  one 
line  on  each  side  of  the  street,  standing  lengthwise  as  far  down 
as  a  point  opposite  the  south  end  of  the  Treasury  building  and 
on  the  north  side  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  'adjoining  Lafayette 
Park. 

After  the  President  and  his  party  left  the  stand  and  entered 
the  White  House  grounds  upon  the  completion  of  the  cere 
monies,  carriages  were  admitted  to  approach  the  reviewing 
stands  for  occupants  and  load  on  both  sides  of  the  street  at 
same  point  where  passengers  were  deposited,  and  after  loading 
proceeded  by  the  same  route  to  Pennsylvania  avenue  as  for 
merly,  thus  keeping  the  carriages  traveling  in  one  direction. 

Carriages  were  not  permitted  to  stop  at  the  place  where  un 
loaded  any  longer  than  absolutely  necessary  to  leave  occupants. 

It  was  urgently  requested  that  all  carriages  arrive  and  be  out 
of  the  way  by  2.15  so  as  not  to  interfere  with  the  parade. 

From  2.30  until  the  time  the  President  and  his  party  left 
the  stand  no  carriage  was  allowed  to  cross  the  roadway  opposite 
the  southeast  gate  of  the  White  House  grounds. 

Any  of  the  guests  leaving  the  stand  before  the  completion  of 
the  ceremonies  \vere  able  to  find  their  carriages  in  east  Execu 
tive  avenue  or  Pennsylvania  avenue,  where  parked  as  directed 
above. 

THE    GUESTS. 

The  following  guests  occupied  the  President's  box: 
The  President  and  Mrs.  Roosevelt. 
The  Cabinet  and  Secretary  to  the  President. 
The  Statue  Commission. 
The  speakers. 


77tr  Arrangements.  4 1 

The  clergymen  officiating. 

The  Assistant  Secretary  to  the  President. 

Mrs.  vSara  Rohl-Smith,  widow  of  the  sculptor,  Mr. 
Peter  Suhr. 

Col.  Thomas  \V.  Symons.  V .  S.  Army,  Kngineer  in 
charge  of  Monument  and  unveiling  ceremonies,  aid  to 
the  President. 

Capt.  William  S.  Cowles,  U.  S.  Navy,  aid  to  the  Presi 
dent. 

Master  William  Tecnmseh  Sherman  Thorndike,  grand 
son  of  General  SHKKMAX. 

The  remaining  sections  of  the  President's  stand  were  occu 
pied  by  the  Diplomatic  Corps,  Senators  and  Representatives, 
the  Chief  Justice  and  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States,  military,  naval,  and  marine  officers  of  general 
rank,  and  the  higher  civil  officers  of  the  three  coordinate 
branches  of  the  Government  and  others  of  suitable  rank, 
governors  of  States  and  Territories  and  United  States 
dependencies. 

The  east  stand  (red)  was  occupied  by  veterans  of  the — 
Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. — Gen.  John  R.  Bnx>ke, 
president;  Col.  William  F.  Fox,  corresponding  secretary;  Col. 
Horatio  C.  King,  recording  secretary;   Lieut.  Frank  S.  Halliday, 
treasurer. 

Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio. — Lieut.  Gen.  J..M.  Schofield, 
president;  Maj.  J.  F.  Stewart,  treasurer;  Capt.  George  Redway, 
first  vice-president;  Prof.  J.  F" raise  Richard,  secretary  and  his 
torian. 

The  west  stand  (blue)  was  occupied  by  veterans  of  the — 
Society  of  the  Army  of  the   Tennessee. — Gen.    Grenville  M. 
Dodge,   president;   Maj.    A.    M.    Van    Dyke,    treasurer;    Gen. 


42  The  Arrangements. 

Andrew  Hickenlooper,  corresponding  secretary;  Col.  Cornelius 
Cadle,  recording  secretary. 

Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. — Gen.  H.  V.  Boynton, 
president;  Gen.  Frank  G.  Smith,  treasurer;  Maj.  John  Twee- 
dale,  U.  S.  Army,  corresponding  secretary;  Col.  J.  W.  Steele, 
recording  secretary;  Col.  G.  C.  Kniffin,  historian. 

Settees  at  the  base  of  the  statue  were  occupied  by  maimed 
soldiers  of  the  civil  war. 

SEATING    OF   THE    GUESTS. 

The  guests  as  they  arrived  were  promptly  shown  to  their 
places  by  a  reception  committee  of  forty-three  gentlemen  who 
had  previously  acquainted  themselves  with  their  duties  and  the 
location  of  seats.  Although  the  number  to  be  seated  was 
several  thousand,  this  usually  confusing  feature  of  great  public 
occasions  was  not  in  the  least  in  evidence. 

ARRIVAL   OF   THE    PRESIDENT. 

The  President  having  left  the  White  House  as  previously 
arranged,  accompanied  by  the  Cabinet  and  his  two  aids, 
walked  through  the  south  park  to  the  southeast  gate.  At 
this  point  a  detachment  of  the  First  Regiment,  Minute  Men 
(Continentals),  of  Washington,  D.  C.,  Colonel  Winter,  com 
manding,  received  him  at  salute.  Then  in  platoon,  as  a  van 
guard  of  honor  and  advancing,  the  procession  moved  in  the 
following  order:  Col.  T.  W.  Symons,  Corps  Engineers,  U.  S.' 
Army,  in  charge  of  monument  and  ceremonies,  and  Capt. 
W.  S.  Cowles,  U.  S.  Navy;  the  President  and  General 
Dodge,  president  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Ten 
nessee  and  presiding  officer;  Secretaries  Hay  and  Shaw; 
Acting  Secretary  Oliver  and  Attorney- General  Knox;  Post 
master-General  Payne  and  Secretary  Moody;  Secretaries 


The  Arrangements.  43 

Hitchcock  and  Wilson;  Secretary  Cortelyou  and  the  Secre 
tary  to  the  President.  Rear  guard  of  honor,  Commander 
Kimball  and  staff,  Department  of  the  Potomac,  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic. 

The  route  of  march  was  along  the  drive  south  of  the 
Treasury  Department  to  the  east  end  of  the  grand  stand, 
thence  turning  south  and  then  west  along  the  front.  As 
the  President  approached  and  ascended  to  the  platform  the 
Minute  Men  stood  at  salute,  the  United  States  Marine  band 
at  the  north  base  of  the  monument  played  "Hail  to  the 
Chief,"  and  the  assemblage  rose  with  great  cheering.  As 
the  President  took  his  seat  the  "President's  flag"  was  flown 
from  the  peak  of  the  staff  on  the  top  of  the  grand  stand. 


LIEUT.   GEN.   S.    B.    M.   YOUNG,   GRAND    MARSHAL,    LEADING   COLUMN    IN    REVIEW. 


DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA    NATIONAL  GUARD   PASSING   IN    REVIEW    BEFORE   THE   PRESIDENT. 


THE  PARADE. 


A    PAGKAXT    OK    WAR. 

The  military  and  naval  pageant  was  restricted  to  the  United 
States  forces,  Army,  Navy,  and  Marine  Corps,  stationed  in  the 
vicinity  of  Washington,  and  the  National  Guard  of  the  District 
of  Columbia,  under  command  of  Lieut.  Gen.  S.  B.  M.  Young. 

The  display  was  exceptionally  fine.  In  order,  discipline,  and 
array  it  would  undoubtedly  have  received  generous  approval 
from  our  hero  himself,  one  of  the  greatest  of  disciplinarians,  had 
he  been  present  in  flesh  as  he  manifestly  was  in  spirit. 

PARADE    FORMATION. 

The  orders  for  the  military  and  naval  parade  were  published 
for  the  information  and  guidance  of  all  concerned  in  General 
Orders,  No.  i,  Headquarters  of  the  Grand  Marshal,  War  De 
partment,  Washington,  October  8,  1903,  the  organization  being 
as  follows: 

Lieut.  Gen.  S.  B.  M.  Young,  U.  S.  Army,  grand  marshal. 
Brig.  Gen.  \V.  H.  Carter,  U.  S.  Army,  chief  of  staff. 
Col.  William    P.    Hall,  Adjutant-General's    Department,  U.  S.  Army, 
Adjutant-General. 

FIRST  DIVISION. 

Col.  Winfield  S.  Edgerly,  Second  U.  S.  Cavalry,  marshal. 
Second  Battalion  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  Army. 

Thirty-seventh,  Forty-fourth,  and  One  hundred  and  fourth  Companies 
Coast  Artillery,  U.  S.  Army. 

(45) 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 4 


46  The  Parade, 

Second  Squadron,  Second  Cavalry,  U.  S.  Army. 

Fourth  Field  Battery,  U.  S.  Army. 

Detachment  of  Hospital  Corps,  U.  S.  Army  (Fort  Myer,  Va. ). 

Battalion  United  States  Marines. 

Two  battalions  United  States  seamen. 

SECOND   DIVISION. 

Brig.  Gen.  George  H.  Harries,  National  Guard,  District  of  Columbia, 
marshal. 

Second  Regiment,  National  Guard,  District  of  Columbia. 

First  Regiment,  National  Gviard,  District  of  Columbia. 

First  Separate  Battalion,  National  Guard,  District  of  Columbia. 

Signal  Corps,  National  Guard,  District  of  Columbia. 

Naval  Battalion,  National  Guard,  District  of  Columbia. 

First  Battery  Field  Artillery,  National  Guard,  District  of  Columbia. 

Ambulance  Corps,  National  Guard,  District  of  Columbia. 

II.  Dress  uniforms  worn. 

III.  (Defining  location  of  rendezvous  positions  of  first  division.) 

IV.  (The  same  for  second  division. ) 

V.  Organizations  reported  by  their  commanding  officers  to  the  marshals 
of  the  respective  divisions. 

VI.  The  column  to  move  at  2.30  p.  m.     The  units  to  enter  the  column 
in  the  sequence  stated  in  Paragraph  I  of  this  order. 

VII.  The  march  at  full  distance  guide  right. 

VIII.  The  route  of  march  south  on  Sixteenth  street  to  H  street,  east  on 
H  street  to  Fifteenth  street,  south  on  Fifteenth  street  to  Pennsylvania 
avenue,  west  to  marker.     The  platoons  to  successively  execute   ' '  fours 
left"  as  they  arrive  opposite  the  marker,  enter  the  dedication  grounds, 
execute  "  fours  right, "  march  past  the  reviewing  stand  in  line;  leave  the 
ground  by  executing  "fours  right"  and  remain  in  columns  of  fours  for  the 
remainder  of  the  route  west  to  Executive  avenue,  then  south  about  300 
yards,  then  east  toward  Fifteenth  street,  changing  direction  to  the  north 
in  time  to  place  the  battalions  in  columns  of  fours,  side  by  side,  with  5- 
yard  intervals,  facing  north  and  heads  resting  at  the  southern  border  of 
the  dedication  grounds.     Cavalry  and  field  artillery  after  passing  in  review 
to  march  toward  B  street  and  subsequently  be  massed  in  rear  of  the  foot 
troops  by  the  marshal  of  the  first  division. 

IX.  In  each  division  but  one  band  to  play  at  a  time,  alternating  from 
head  to  rear  of  column.     At  the  time  of  passing  the  reviewing  stand  bands 
to  play  as  prescribed  by  drill  regulations. 

X.  The  column  reviewed  by  the  President  at  the  grand  stand  on  the 
dedication  grounds. 

XI.  The  Fourth  Field  Battery,  U.  S.  Army,  after  passing  in  review  to 
move  to  a  position  about  300  yards  southwest  of  the  statue  and  fire  a  salute 


The  Parade.  47 

of  17  guns,  l>eginning  at  the  moment  of  unveiling  of  the  statue,  the  com 
manding  officer  being  charged  with  the  necessary  arrangements. 

XII.  After  the  conclusion  of  the  exercises  the  organizations  to  withdraw 
by  the  most  convenient  routes,  avoiding  main  thoroughfares. 

XIII.  No  organization  to  execute  any  change  of  formation  during  the 
entire  march  unless  ordered  by  the  grand  marshal. 

UKAI)    COLl'MN     FORWARD. 

The  column  began  to  move  promptly  at  2  p.  in.  from  its 
initial  point  on  K  street  facing  east,  head  at  Sixteenth  street 
X\V.  The  units  entered  the  column  in  the  sequence  given  in 
parade  formation,  at  full  distance  guide  right,  United  States 
cavalry  in  column  of  platoons  of  three  fours  each,  artillery  in 
column  of  sections,  foot  troops  in  close  column  of  platoons  of 
sixteen  files  each,  National  Guard  of  the  District  of  Columbia 
close  column  of  platoons  of  sixteen  files  each,  battery  in  column 
of  sections. 

ROUTK    OK    MARCH. 

Moving  over  the  following  route:  South  on  Sixteenth  to  H 
street,  east  on  H  street  to  Fifteenth  street,  south  on  Fifteenth 
street  to  Pennsylvania  avenue,  west  to  marker. 

IN   KKYIK.W. 

Executing  "fours  left"  as  they  arrived  opposite  the  marker, 
where  the  column  entered  the  dedication  grounds,  executing 
"  fours  right"  marching  in  review  before  the  President  on  the 
grand  stand. 

THK    PRESIDENT. 

The  President,  surrounded  by  a  brilliant  grouping  of  the 
highest  officers  of  the  three  coordinate  branches  of  the  State, 
the  ambassadors  and  plenipotentiaries  or  representatives  of 
thirty-six  governments,  great  and  small,  of  the  world,  and 
military,  naval,  and  marine  officers  of  general  rank,  occupied 
the  place  of  vantage  overlooking  the  scene,  receiving  the  salutes 
of  each  unit  of  organization  as  it  marched  by. 


48  The  Parade. 

UNISON   OF    HARMONY    AND   STEP. 

After  escorting  the  marines  to  their  position  in  the  line  of 
the  parade,  the  United  States  Marine  Band,  under  its  leader, 
Ivieut.  William  H.  Santelmann,  occupied  a  place  opposite  to 
and  facing  the  President's  stand,  where  it  rendered  patriotic 
airs  during  the  passing  of  the  troops  in  review. 

At  the  approach  of  the  battalions  of  marines  the  band  struck 
up  "Semper  Fidelis,"  a  famous  composition  of  Sousa  when 
leader. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  review  and  immediately  preceding 
the  ceremonies  the  Marine  Band  played  the  always  applauded 
"Sherman's  March  Through  Georgia." 

PARADE    REST. 

The  troops  left  the  grounds  by  executing  "  fours  right,"  and 
and  so  moving  according  to  the  official  order  of  march.  Ap 
proaching  east  toward  Fifteenth  street  the  column  changed 
direction  to  the  north  in  time  to  form  battalions  in  columns  of 
fours,  side  by  side,  with  5-yard  intervals,  facing  north,  and 
heads  resting  at  the  southern  border  of  the  dedication  grounds. 
The  cavalry  and  field  artillery  after  review,  carrying  out  orders, 
massed  in  the  rear  of  the  foot  troops. 

In  this  position  the  troops  remained  until  the  conclusion  of 
the  exercises,  when  each  organization  withdrew  by  the  most 
convenient  route,  avoiding  main  thoroughfares. 


THE  DEDICATION. 


THE    UNVEILING    COMMISSION. 

Maj.  Gen.  Grenville  M.  Dodge,  president  Society  Army  of 
the  Tennessee. 

Hon.  Robert  Shaw  Oliver,  Acting  Secretary  of  War. 

Lieut.  Cen.  S.  B.  M.  Young,  Chief  of  Staff,  U.  S.  Army. 

Col.  Thomas  \V.  Symons,  Corps  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  Army, 
in  charge  of  monument  and  ceremonies. 

ORDER   OF   EXERCISES. 

The  dedication  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  \V.  T.  SHERMAN  took 
place  according  to  the  following  programme: 

Ceremonies  commenced  at  2.30  p.  m.,  Thursday,  October  15, 

1903- 

Maj.  Gen.  Grenville  M.  Dodge,  president  of  the  Society  of 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  presiding. 

Prayer  by  Rev.  D.  J.  Stafford,  of  Washington,  D.  C. 

Reading  of  brief  history  and  description  of  the  statue  by  the 
presiding  officer. 

Unveiling  of  the  statue  by  William  Tecumseh  Sherman 
Thorndike,  General  SHERMAN'S  grandson. 

(At  the  moment  of  the  unveiling  a  general  salute  was  fired 
by  the  Fourth  Field  Battery,  U.  S.  Artillery.  The  Marine 
Band  played  the  Star  Spangled  Banner. ) 

Address  by  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

(49) 


50  The  Dedication. 

Oration  by  Col.  D.  B.  Henderson,  of  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee. 

Address  by  Maj.  Gen.  Daniel  E.  Sickles,  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac. 

Address  by  Gen.  Charles  H.  Grosvenor,  of  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland. 

Address  by  Gen.  Thomas  J.  Henderson,  of  the  Army  of  the 
Ohio. 

Benediction  by  Right  Rev.  Henry  Y.  Satterlee,  Bishop  of 
Washington. 

CALLED    TO    ORDER. 

The  presiding  officer,  Maj.  Gen.  Grenville  M.  Dodge,  at  2.30 
p.  m.  called  the  vast  assemblage  to  order.  In  recognition  of 
his  conspicuous  services  in  the  promotion  of  the  memorial,  from 
its  inception  in  1891  to  its  splendid  consummation  before  him, 
he  was  received  with  the  most  generous  greetings.  He  then 
announced  Rev.  D.  J.  Stafford,  of  St.  Patrick's  (R.  C.)  Church, 
who  in  invocation  of  the  favor  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts  upon  the 
ceremonies  about  to  begin,  said: 

THE    INVOCATION. 

Almighty  and  Everlasting  God,  Father  of  all  nations,  look 
down  upon  us  and  bless  us  !  Upon  this  happy  day  we  lift 
our  hearts  to  Thee  in  gratitude.  We  thank  Thee  for  the 
unparalleled  progress  of  more  than  an  hundred  years,  by 
which  Thou  hast  distinguished  us  among  the  nations  of  the 
earth.  We  thank  Thee  for  our  glorious  history,  our  boundless 
resources,  our  riches,  our  treasures,  our  great  liberty.  We 
thank  Thee  that  in  the  hour  of  trial  Thou  didst  raise  up  able 
leaders  for  Thy  people — leaders  who  by  courage,  ability,  and 
sacrifice  saved  the  nation.  Give  us  the  grace  to  perpetuate 
the  memory  of  great  men,  not  only  in  monuments  of  stone  and 


The  Dedication.  51 

brass,  but  still  more  in  our  hearts,  by  the  emulation  of  their 
example  and  the  imitation  of  their  virtues.  By  them  Thou 
didst  save  the  Union,  the  Union  one  and  indissoluble,  and  by 
Thy  protection — invincible  forever.  Give  us  the  grace,  oh, 
God !  above  all  to  know  Thee  and  love  Thee. 


INTRODUCTORY  ADDRESS. 


NSaj.  Gen.  Grenville  M.  P<xlge.  president  of  the  Society  of 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  describing  the  statue  and  giving  a 
ietros,p>eet  of  its  history,  said: 

....I  »,  .sun... i  .i/  BJJI  -. 

the 


of    the    Al^^W'^fltf^^^lTOfr'^^ 

—  -i-mtntiiT  iav'ff  lo  lohlaid  ,iioiatvi(I   iltiuuH   IryhnKtiiiiim  ,^  ylut 

l>  erec  'lMwi^i^Urtli1fe«r«M^}/tih^^r''' 


and, 

ilJu  J  i)*!^  Viiiw  Jl-)I  Iw/Jiifiinmoo  ,7  x'"t  .£<^i 

KC  work  pi  an. 

,3l;»i3  TB^H  arioUon  al—  «qioO  ^miA 

v-  after  the    -*«*ii^<^»*»r^rfJ»!»*iA'''i»"Tirnnes  in  \Va-; 


eral  vSHKk^^^-iff'WW^lrAift^in^t.  Louis. 


III  , 

/.  irnnl  Mii^iiH|iiim  iti;if>nl  miounno  ;iu<«»'.i^  'jrit 

iV  oj 


Maj.  Gen.  GRENV1LLE  M.  DODGE,  of  Iowa. 

1861,  July  6,  Colonel,  Fourth  Iowa  Volunteers— wounded  in  action  February  9,  1862, 
and  at  Pea  Ridge  March  7,  1862— March  31,  Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers- 
July  4,  commanded   Fourth  Division,  District  of  West  Tennessee — 
Rebuilt  Mississippi  and  Ohio  Railway,  Columbus  to  Hum- 
boldt — November  19,  commanded  District  of  Corinth — 
1863,  July  7,  commanded  left  wing  Sixteenth 
Army  Corps — In  actions  Bear  Creek, 

Tuscumbia  and  Iowa  Creek — 

1864,    May   5,    commanded    Sixteenth 

Army    Corps — Atlanta   campaign,  in    battles 

of  the  advance  also  of  July  22  and  28 — June  7,  Major- 

General  of  Volunteers — August  19,  wounded  in  head  before 

Atlanta — -December,  in   command  of  the   Department  and  Army 

of  the  Missouri — 1865-66,    conducted  Indian  campaigns  from  Arkansas 

River  to  Yellowstone — Resigned    March     i,    1866,     accepted     May    30 — 1866, 

September,   iSf*),    tendered    appointment  of  Secretary  of  War  by   President  Grant. 


INTRODUCTORY  ADDRESS. 


Maj.  Gen.  Grenville  M.  Doclge,  president  of  the  Society  of 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  describing  the  statue  and  giving  a 
retrospect  of  its  history,  said: 

I  will  give  a  brief  description  of  the  statue.  At  the  time  of 
the  death  of  General  SHERMAN  he  was  president  of  the  Society 
of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  That  society  immediately 
resolved  to  erect  in  Washington  a  suitable  memorial  to  its  great 
commander,  and,  with  the  aid  of  Congress,  has  given  you  this 
splendid,  life-like  work  of  art. 

Immediately  after  the  great  review  of  all  the  armies  in  Wash 
ington,  General  SHERMAN  went  to  his  home  in  St.  Louis.  At 
.that  time  I  was  in  command  of  that  department,  and  in  describ 
ing  this  review  to  me  General  SHERMAN  said  that  he  had  wit 
nessed  the  march  of  that  magnificent  and  splendidly  equipped 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  felt  a  great  desire  that  his  army 
should  make  as  creditable  an  appearance.  After  the  review  of 
the  first  day  he  returned  to  his  command  across  the  Potomac  and 
called  around  him  his  commanding  officers  and  told  them  what 
he  had  witnessed,  urging  upon  them  the  necessity  of  their 
making  known  to  their  commands  the  necessity  for  them  to 
brush  up  and  put  forth  their  best  efforts  in  conduct  and 
marching  the  next  day.  As  he  rode  at  the  head  of  his  col 
umn  up  Pennsylvania  avenue,  when  he  reached  the  rise  near 
the  Treasury  Department  he  turned  and  looked  down  the 
Avenue  and  saw  his  old  army  coming,  with  their  old  spirit, 

(53) 


54  Introductory  Address. 

energy,  and  swing,  and  was  satisfied  they  would  do  their  best; 
and  he  believed  it  was  the  happiest  and  most  satisfactory 
moment  of  his  life.  The  crowd  seemed  to  appreciate  his 
thoughts,  and  welcomed  him  with  a  great  ovation.  The 
sculptor,  Carl  Rohl-Smith,  has  endeavored  to  present  General 
SHERMAN  in  bronze  as  he  appeared  at  that  moment,  and  you 
can  all  appreciate  how  ably  and  satisfactorily  he  has  accom 
plished  his  work. 

The  two  allegorical  figures  represent  "War"  and  "Peace," 
the  effects  of  which  probably  no  general  officer  more  emphat 
ically  enforced  than  General  SHERMAN. 

The  bas-reliefs  represent  on  the  north  front  the  ' '  march  to 
the  sea,"  on  the  east  front  SHERMAN  at  Chattanooga  attacking 
Bragg' s  right,  on  the  south  front  the  battle  of  Atlanta  on  July 
22,  the  greatest  battle  of  the  campaign,  and  on  the  west  front 
SHERMAN  as  many  of  us  saw  him,  at  midnight,  walking  before 
the  campfire,  with  hands  clasped  behind  him,  in  deep  thought, 
while  everything  around  \vas  sleeping.  This  is  so  characteristic 
that  all  who  served  under  SHERMAN  will  appreciate  it.  He 
once  said  to  me  that  we  little  knew  how  many  anxious  hours  he 
passed  in  pacing  in  front  of  his  tent  in  thought  and  planning 
while  we  were  quietly  sleeping. 

The  medalions  represent  the  army  and  corps  commanders  of 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  who  served  under  SHERMAN.  They 
are  McPherson  and  Howard,  Logan  and  Blair,  Smith  and  Grier- 
son,  Ransom  and  Dodge. 

The  four  arms  of  the  service,  engineers,  cavalry,  artillery, 
and  infantry,  are  each  represented  by  a  soldier  as  he  appeared 
in  a  campaign. 

The  mosaic  walk  surrounding  the  monument  has  in  it  the 
names  of  the  principal  battles  in  which  General  SHERMAN  was 
engaged. 


Introductory  Address,  55 

It  was  a  great  misfortune  that  the  sculptor,  Carl  Rohl-Smith, 
died  with  his  work  only  half  completed,  but  it  was  a  very  fortu 
nate  circumstance  that  his  wife,  Mrs.  Sara  Rohl-Smith,  who  is 
present  to-day,  could  take  up  his  work  where  he  left  it  and 
carry  it  to  so  successful  a  completion,  and  on  behalf  of  the 
commission  and  of  the  societies  of  the  four  great  armies  here 
present,  and  I  know  of  all  others  who  have  seen  this  great  work 
of  art,  I  wish  to  extend  to  her  our  hearty  thanks  and  appre 
ciation  of  the  great  success  she  has  achieved  in  the  efficient  and 
satisfactory  manner  in  which  this  national  statue  has  been  com 
pleted. 

The  commission,  through  the  courtesy  of  the  United  States 
minister,  has  placed  upon  the  tomb  of  Carl  Rohl-Smith,  in 
Copenhagen,  Denmark,  at  this  moment  a  suitable  floral  tribute 
to  his  memory,  and  in  testimony  of  its  appreciation  of  his  great 
work." 


<*The  following,  press  dispatch  appeared  in  the  newspapers  of  Washington  issued  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  ceremonies:  "Copenhagen,  October  15,  1903.  Simultaneously 
with  the  unveiling  of  the  equestrian  statue  of  C.en.  WILLIAM  T.  SIIKRMAN  at  Washing 
ton.  D.  C..  to-day.  I'nited  States  Minister  Swanson,  by  direction  of  the  State  Depart 
ment,  placed  a  wreath,  hound  with  the  Danish  and  American  colors,  on  the  tomb  of 
Carl  Rohl-Smith,  the  Danish-American  sculptor  who  designed  the  monument. 

"Anionstho.se  present  were  Stephen  Sinding,  the  Danish  sculptor  who  completed 
Rohl-Smith's  work;  General  Christensen.  of  Brooklyn.  General  SHERMAN'S  intimate 
friend,  and  the  t'nited  States  consul.  Mr.  Swanson  made  a  brief  speech." 


SHERMAN  IN  ART. 


During  the  remarks  of  General  Dodge,  Master  William 
Tecumseh  Sherman  Thorndike,  grandson  of  General  SHERMAN, 
who  had  been  standing  by  his  side,  descended  from  the  grand 
stand  and,  proceeding  across  the  open  area  in  front,  took  a  seat 
at  the  base  of  the  northeast  angle  of  the  statue. 

At  the  conclusion  of  his  address  the  presiding  officer  declared, 
"  The  statue  will  now  be  unveiled." 

The  cord,  to  which  was  appended  a  weighted  bouquet,  being 
passed  into  his  hand,  Master  Thorndike,  by  a  simple  movement 
of  the  arm,  unloosed  the  enveloping  flags. 

HONORS. 

The  moment  the  signal  was  given,  and  the  national  colors 
parted,  the  United  States  Marine  Band  struck  up  "The  Star 
Spangled  Banner,"  and  the  Fourth  Field  Battery,  United  States 
Army,  in  position  about  300  yards  southwest  of  the  statue, 
fired  a  general's  salute  of  seventeen  guns,  trumpets  sounding 
three  flourishes,  drums  beating  three  ruffles,  and  the  assem 
blage  cheering  vociferously. 

(57) 


THE   STATUE  VEILED. 


THE  STATUE   UNVEILED. 


S.  Dor.  3'JO—  ">,s-2. 


WILLIAM   TECUMSEH   SHERMAN   THORNDIKE,   GRANDSON   OF  GENERAL  SHERMAN, 
WHO   PULLED  THE   UNVEILING   CORD. 


THh    UNVEILING. 


A    PANORAMIC    VIKW. 

The  illustrations  show  the  various  stages  of  the  unveiling: 

No.  i .   Statue  veiled. 

No.  2.   Statue  unveiled. 

No.  3.   Bird's-eye  view  of  court. 

Xo.  4.   William  Tecumseh  Sherman  Thorndike. 

From  the  unveiling  of  the  "Equestrian"  Master  Thorndike 
stepped  to  the  bronze  figure  on  the  northeast,  where,  throwing 
open  a  corner  of  the  enveloping  flag,  two  veterans  stepped  for 
ward  and  finished  the  uncovering,  folding  the  flag  and  placing 
it  at  the  foot  of  the  figure.  The  same  ceremony  was  done  at 
each  of  the  three  remaining  figures,  going  south,  west,  and 
north.  Master  Thorndike,  having  performed  his  part  in  the 
ceremony  with  a  deliberation  worthy  of  his  great  ancestor,  took 
up  his  hat  and  Ixniquet,  and,  returning  to  the  grand  stand,  pre 
sented  the  flowers  to  the  President,  who,  much  touched  by  the 
neatness  of  the  compliment,  expressed  his  most  feeling  thanks. 
When  the  President  left  the  grand  stand  to  return  to  the  White 
House  he  carried  the  bouquet  with  him  as  a  souvenir  of  the 

event. 

(59) 


SHERMAN  IN  ORATORY. 


THK    PRESIDENT    ANNOUNCED. 

The  presiding  officer  then  presented  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  who  was  greeted  with  tumultuous  applause,  a 
fanfare  of  trumpets,  and  drum  ruffles,  the  troops  standing  at 
present  and  the  vast  concourse  rising. 

(61) 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 5 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  ADDRESS. 


To-day  we  meet  together  to  do  honor  to  the  memory  of  one 
of  the  great  men  whom,  in  the  hour  of  her  agony,  our  nation 
brought  forth  for  her  preservation.  The  civil  war  was  not 
only  in  the  importance  of  the  issues  at  stake  and  of  the  out 
come  the  greatest  of  modern  times,  but  it  was  also,  taking  into 
account  its  duration,  the  severity  of  the  fighting,  and  the  si/e 
of  the  armies  engaged,  the  greatest  since  the  close  of  the 
Napoleonic  struggles.  Among  the  generals  who  rose  to  high 
position  as  leaders  of  the  various  armies  in  the  field  are  many 
who  will  l>e  remembered  in  our  history  as  long  as  this  history 
itself  is  remembered.  Sheridan,  the  incarnation  of  fiery  energy 
and  prowess;  Thomas,  farsighted,  cool-headed,  whose  steadfast 
courage  burned  ever  highest  in  the  supreme  moment  of  the 
crisis;  McClellan,  with  his  extraordinary  gift  for  organization; 
Meade,  victor  in  one  of  the  decisive  battles  of  all  time;  Han 
cock,  type  of  the  true  fighting  man  among  the  Regulars; 
Logan,  type  of  the  true  fighting  man  among  the  Volunteers — 
the  names  of  these  and  of  many  others  will  endure  so  long  as 
our  people  hold  sacred  the  memory  of  the  fight  for  union  and 
for  liberty.  High  among  these  chiefs  rise  the  figures  of  Grant 
and  of  Grant's  great  lieutenant,  SHERMAN,  whose  statue  here 
in  the  national  capital  is  to-day  to  be  unveiled.  It  is  not 
necessary  here  to  go  over  the  long  roll  of  SHERMAN'S  mighty 
feats.  They  are  written  large  throughout  the  history  of  the 
civil  war.  Our  memories  would  l>e  poor  indeed  if  we  did  not 
recall  them  now,  as  we  look  along  Pennsylvania  avenue  and 

(63) 


64  The  Presidents  Address. 

think  of  the  great  triumphal  march  which  surged  down  its 
length  when,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  the  victorious  armies  of 
the  East  and  of  the  West  met  here  in  the  capital  of  the  nation 
they  had  saved. 

There  is  a  peculiar  fitness  in  commemorating  the  great  deeds 
of  the  soldiers  who  preserved  this  nation  by  suitable  monu 
ments  at  the  national  capital.  I  trust  we  shall  soon  have  a 
proper  statue  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  to  whom,  more  than  to  any 
other  one  man,  this  nation  owes  its  salvation.  Meanwhile,  on 
behalf  of  the  people  of  the  nation,  I  wish  to  congratulate  all 
of  you  who  have  been  instrumental  in  securing  the  erection  of 
this  statue  to  General  SHERMAN. 

The  living  can  best  show  their  respect  for  the  memory  of  the 
great  dead  by  the  way  in  which  they  take  to  heart  and  act 
upon  the  lessons  taught  by  the  lives  which  made  these  dead 
men  great.  Our  homage  to-day  to  the  memory  of  SHERMAN 
comes  from  the  depths  of  our  being.  We  would  be  unworthy 
citizens  did  we  not  feel  profound  gratitude  toward  him,  and 
those  like  him  and  under  him,  who,  when  the  country  called  in 
her  dire  need,  sprang  forward  with  such  gallant  eagerness  to 
answer  that  call.  Their  blood  and  their  toil,  their  endurance 
and  patriotism,  have  made  us  and  all  who  come  after  us 
forever  their  debtors.  They  left  us  not  merely  a  reunited 
country,  but  a  country  incalculably  greater  because  of  its  rich 
heritage  in  the  deeds  which  thus  left  it  reunited.  As  a  nation 
we  are  the  greater,  not  only  for  the  valor  and  devotion  to  duty 
displayed  by  the  men  in  blue,  who  won  in  the  great  struggle 
for  the  Union,  but  also  for  the  valor  and  the  loyalty  toward 
what  they  regarded  as  right  of  the  men  in  gray;  for  this  war, 
thrice  fortunate  above  all  other  recent  wars  in  its  outcome,  left 
to  all  of  us  the  right  of  brotherhood  alike  with  valiant  victor 
and  valiant  vanquished. 


The  Presidents  Address.  65 

Moreover,  our  homage  must  not  only  find  expression  on  our 
lips;  it  must  also  show  itself  forth  in  our  deeds.  It  is  a  great 
and  glorious  thing  for  a  nation  to  be  stirred  to  present  triumph 
by  the  splendid  memories  of  triumphs  in  the  past.  Hut  it  is  a 
shameful  thing  for  a  nation  if  these  memories  stir  it  only  to 
empty  boastings,  to  a  pride  that  does  not  shrink  from  present 
abasement,  to  that  self-satisfaction  which  accepts  the  high 
resolve  and  unbending  effort  of  the  father  as  an  excuse  for 
effortless  ease  or  wrongly  directed  effort  in  the  son.  We  of  the 
present,  if  we  are  true  to  the  past,  must  show  by  our  lives  that 
we  have  learned  aright  the  lessons  taught  by  the  men  who  did 
the  mighty  deeds  of  the  past.  We  must  have  in  us  the  spirit 
which  made  the  men  of  the  civil  war  what  they  were;  the 
spirit  which  produced  leaders  such  as  SHERMAN;  the  spirit 
which  gave  to  the  average  soldier  the  grim  tenacity  and  re 
sourcefulness  that  made  the  armies  of  Grant  and  SHERMAN  as 
formidable  fighting  machines  as  this  world  has  ever  seen.  We 
need  their  ruggedness  of  body,  their  keen  and  vigorous  minds, 
and  above  all  their  dominant  quality  of  forceful  character. 
Their  lives  teach  us  in  our  own  lives  to  strive  after  not  the 
thing  which  is  merely  pleasant,  but  the  thing  which  it  is  our 
duty  to  do.  The  life  of  duty,  not  the  life  of  mere  ease  or  mere 
pleasure,  that  is  the  kind  of  life  which  makes  the  great  man  as 
it  makes  the  great  nation. 

We  can  not  afford  to  lose  the  virtues  which  made  the 
men  of  '61  to  '65  great  in  war.  No  man  is  warranted  in 
feeling  pride  in  the  deeds  of  the  Army  and  Navy  of  the 
past  if  he  does  not  back  up  the  Army  and  the  Navy  of  the 
present.  If  we  are  farsighted  in  our  patriotism  there  will 
be  no  let  up  in  the  work  of  building  and  of  keeping  at  the 
highest  point  of  efficiency  a  navy  suited  to  the  part  the 
United  States  must  hereafter  play  in  the  world,  and  of 


66  The  Presidents  Address. 

making  and  keeping  our  small  Regular  Arm}-,  which  in  the 
event  of  a  great  war  can  never  be  anything  but  the  nucleus 
around  which  our  volunteer  armies  must  form  themselves, 
the  best  army  of  its  size  to  be  found  among  the  nations. 

So  much  for  our  duties  in  keeping  unstained  the  honor  roll 
our  fathers  made  in  war.  It  is  of  even  more  instant  need  that 
we  should  show  their  spirit  of  patriotism  in  the  affairs  of  peace. 
The  duties  of  peace  are  with  us  always;  those  of  war  are  but 
occasional;  and  with  a  nation  as  with  a  man,  the  worthiness  of 
life  depends  upon  the  way  in  which  the  everyday  duties  are 
done.  The  home  duties  are  the  vital  duties.  The  nation  is 
nothing  but  the  aggregate  of  the  families  within  its  border;  and 
if  the  average  man  is  not  hard-working,  just,  and  fearless  in  his 
dealings  with  those  about  him,  then  our  average  of  public  life 
will  in  the  end  be  low,  for  the  stream  can  rise  no  higher  than 
its  source.  But  in  addition  we  need  to  remember  that  a  peculiar 
responsibility  rests  upon  the  man  in  public  life.  We  meet  in 
the  capital  of  the  nation,  in  the  city  which  owes  its  existence  to 
the  fact  that  it  is  the  seat  of  the  National  Government.  It  is 
well  for  us  in  this  place,  and  at  this  time,  to  remember  that 
exactly  as  there  are  certain  homely  qualities  the  lack  of  which 
will  prevent  the  most  brilliant  man  alive  from  being  a  useful 
soldier  to  his  country,  so  there  are  certain  homely  qualities  for 
the  lack  of  which  in  the  public  servant  no  shrewdness  or  ability 
can  atone.  The  greatest  leaders,  whether  in  war  or  in  peace, 
must  of  course  show  a  peculiar  quality  of  genius;  but  the  most 
redoubtable  armies  that  have  ever  existed  have  been  redoubt 
able  because  the  average  soldier,  the  average  officer,  possessed 
to  a  high  degree  such  comparatively  simple  qualities  as  loyalty, 
courage,  and  hardihood.  And  so  the  most  successful  govern 
ments  are  those  in  which  the  average  public  servant  possesses 
that  variant  of  loyalty  which  we  call  patriotism,  together  with 


The  Presidents  Address.  67 

common  sense  and  honesty.  We  can  as  little  afford  to  tolerate 
a  dishonest  man  in  the  public  service  as  a  coward  in  the  Army. 
The  murderer  takes  a  single  life;  the  corruptionist  in  public 
life,  whether  he  l>e  bribe  giver  or  bribe  taker,  strikes  at  the 
heart  of  the  commonwealth.  In  every  public  service,  as  in 
every  army,  there  will  be  wrongdoers,  there  will  occur  misdeeds. 
This  can  not  be  avoided;  but  vigilant  watch  must  be  kept,  and 
as  soon  as  discovered  the  wrongdoing  must  be  stopped  and  the 
wrongdoers  punished.  Remember  that  in  popular  government 
we  must  rely  on  the  people  themselves,  alike  for  the  punishment 
and  the  reformation.  Those  upon  whom  our  institutions  cast 
the  initial  duty  of  bringing  malefactors  to  the  bar  of  justice 
must  l>e  diligent  in  its  discharge;  yet  in  the  last  resort  the  suc 
cess  of  their  efforts  to  purge  the  public  service  of  corruption 
must  depend  upon  the  attitude  of  the  courts  and  of  the  juries 
drawn  from  the  people.  Leadership  is  of  avail  only  so  far  as 
there  is  wise  and  resolute  public  sentiment  behind  it. 

In  the  long  run,  then,  it  depends  upon  us  ourselves,  upon  us 
the  people  as  a  whole,  whether  this  Government  is  or  is  not  to 
stand  in  the  future  as  it  has  stood  in  the  past;  and  my  faith 
that  it  will  show  no  falling  off  is  based  upon  my  faith  in  the 
character  of  our  average  citizenship.  The  one  supreme  duty  is 
to  try  to  keep  this  average  high.  To  this  end  it  is  well  to 
keep  alive  the  memory  of  those  men  who  are  fit  to  serve  as 
examples  of  what  is  loftiest  and  l>est  in  American  citizenship. 
Such  a  man  was  General  SHERMAN.  To  very  few  in  any  gen 
eration  is  it  given  to  render  such  services  as  he  rendered;  but 
each  of  us  in  his  degree  can  try  to  show  something  of  those 
qualities  of  character  upon  which,  in  their  sum,  the  high  worth 
of  SHKRMAN  rested — his  courage,  his  kindliness,  his  clean  and 
simple  living,  his  sturdy  good  sense,  his  manliness  and  tender 
ness  in  the  intimate  relations  of  life,  and,  finally,  his  inflexible 


68  The  President's  Address. 

rectitude  of  soul  and  his  loyalty  to  all  that  in  this  free  Republic 
is  hallowed  and  symbolized  by  the  national  flag. 

The  presiding  officer  next  called  upon  the  orator  of  the  dedi 
cation,  whose  widespread  soldierly,  parliamentary,  and  forensic 
fame  won  salutations  loud  and  long.  When  the  enthusiasm 
died  away  he  celebrated  his  part  in  the  proceedings  of  the  day 
as  follows: 


ORATION  NERAL   HENDERSON 

THE  TENNESSEE. 


the  n 


jjreat,   brave   leaders. 


an   - 


.»  ftmo 


I>fclaratioii 
the    SOTI^S    of 


and    Davis, 


Gen.  DAVID  B.  HENDERSON,  of  Iowa. 

1861,  September,  private,  Company  C,  Twelfth  Iowa  Volunteers,  first  lieutenant; 

discharged  on  account  of  wounds  in  battle.     1864,  June,  colonel  Forty-sixth 

Iowa  Volunteers  until  the  close  of  his  service. 


ORATION  OF  GENERAL  HENDERSON,  OF  THE  ARMY  OF 
THE  TENNESSEE. 


God  is  a  nation  maker.  A  nation!  What  is  it?  Or,  rather, 
what  is  it  not? 

There  is  not  room  on  the  bosom  of  our  generous  land  to  place 
the  pedestals  of  the  monuments  we  might  erect.  It  takes  so 
many  things  to  make  a  nation.  It  takes  wealth  of  soul,  wealth 
of  soil,  and  wealth  of  character.  It  takes  an  army  of  thinkers, 
with  great,  brave  leaders.  It  takes  men  and  women;  those 
who  can  rest  in  a  grave  and  those  who  can  rest  in  bronze. 
It  takes  mountain  ranges,  oceans,  and  springs.  It  takes  the 
Washington  Monument,  Bunker  Hill,  and  the  unmarked  graves 
of  the  Republic. 

We  could  not  be  a  great  nation  without  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  the  Federal  Constitution,  and  the  songs  of 
Whittier  and  Longfellow.  Our  sighs  are  part  of  it;  so  are  our 
dying  groans.  Washington  and  Arnold,  Lincoln  and  Davis, 
Grant,  SHERMAN,  and  Sheridan  were  builders;  but  so  were 
John  Brown  and  the  drummer  boy  of  Shiloh. 

Where  can  you  place  monuments  to  laughter,  to  sighs,  to 
the  flames  of  burning  thought,  and  to  all  the  joys  and  sorrows 
that  follow  in  the  wake  of  war?  Let  me  see  you  build  monu 
ments  to  the  perfumes  of  our  fields  and  gardens.  Where 
will  you  place  the  foundations  of  the  fine  sculpture  to  keep 
in  memory  and  in  marble  or  bronze  the  shouts  and  prayers, 
the  loves,  the  tears,  and  the  immortal  glories  of  the  emancipa 
tion  proclamation? 

(69) 


70  Oration  of  General  Henderson. 

We  can  not  omit  Booth,  Guiteau,  Czolgosz,  and  the  other 
horrid,  damnable  manifestations  of  national  growth.  But  we 
can  build  monuments  to  our  dear  immortal  dead,  and  this  we 
are  doing;  and  the  nation  grows. 

Gen.  WILLIAM  TECUMSEH  SHERMAN,  in  equestrian  statue, 
is  before  us.  With  uncovered  head  he  stands  where  he  stood 
at  the  grand  review.  He  was  followed  by  the  men  who  had 
on  many  a  bloody  field  followed  him  in  the  face  of  death. 
Hear  him,  as  he  looks  at  the  surging  line  coming  from  the 
Capitol: 

When  I  reached  the  Treasury  building  and  looked  back  the  sight  v/as 
simply  magnificent.  The  column  was  compact  and  the  glittering  muskets 
looked  like  a  solid  mass  of  steel,  moving  with  the  regularity  of  a 
penudulum. 

At  this  point  the  great  sculptor,  Carl  Rohl-Smith,  caught 
the  inspiration  of  the  moment  and  fashioned  him  in  bronze  for 
all  time. 

It  does  not  represent  SHERMAN  in  battle.  It  is  SHERMAN 
amid  the  well-won  glories  of  peace.  It  is  SHERMAN  the  peace 
maker,  receiving  the  thrilling,  rapturous  applause  of  the 
bronzed  peacemakers  of  a  saved  republic. 

Statues  come  from  great  deeds,  or  great  events,  or  great 
affections.  The  statues  of  the  world  are  silent  historians. 

SHERMAN  first  drew  his  sword  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and 
never  sheathed  it  until  the  sword  of  the  rebellion  was  in  pieces 
at  his  feet. 

The  language  of  this  statue  tells  what  he  fought  for — peace. 

To  recount  his  battles  is  to  give  a  history  of  the  civil  war. 
On  this  occasion  that  will  be  impossible. 

He  never  drew  his  sword  without  drawing  blood  e.nd  making 
permanent  history. 

His  ' '  March  to  the  sea  ' '  is  generally  regarded  as  his  greatest. 


Oration  of  General  Henderson.  71 

campaign,  but  this  is  an  error.  It  \vas  a  brilliant  campaign — 
the  world  has  so  rated  it — but  it  did  not  come  up  to  the  genius 
and  grandeur  of  the  campaign  immediately  following  it,  when 
he  carried  practically  the  same  army  from  Savannah  to  North 
Carolina,  an  average  distance  of  450  miles.  That  was  the 
greatest  work  of  SHERMAN'S  life. 

Hut  let  us  consider  for  a  moment  what  President  Lincoln  said 
of  the  Atlanta  campaign: 

EXECUTIVE  MANSION, 
Washington,  /).  c'.,  September  j,  /S6j. 

The  national  thanks  are  tendered  by  the  President  to  Maj.  Gen.  WIL 
LIAM  TVCUMSKH  SHERMAN  and  the  gallant  officers  and  soldiers  of  his 
command  before  Atlanta  for  the  distinguished  ability  and  perseverance 
displayed  in  the  campaign  in  Georgia,  which,  under  Divine  fav,  r,  has  re 
sulted  in  the  capture  of  Atlanta.  The  marches,  battles,  sieges,  and  other 
military  operations  that  have  signalized  the  campaign  must  render  it  fa 
mous  in  the  annals  of  war  and  have  entitled  those  who  have  participated 
therein  to  the  applause  and  thanks  of  the  nation. 

ABRAHAM  LINCOLN, 
President  of  (fie.  L  rnited  Slates. 

And  later  note  what  Mr.  Lincoln  said  of  the  "  March  to  the 
sea"  and  capture  of  Savannah: 

EXECUTIVE  MANSION, 
H'tis/iing/oH,  /).  C.,  December  21,  1864, 

Mv  DEAR  GENERAL  SHERMAN:  Many,  many  thanks  for  your  Christ 
mas  gift — the  capture  of  Savannah.  When  you  were  alx>ut  leaving  At 
lanta  for  the  Atlantic  coast  I  was  anxious,  if  not  fearful,  but,  feeling  that 
you  were  the  better  judge,  and  remembering  "  nothing  risked,  nothing 
gained,"  I  did  not  interfere.  Now,  the  undertaking  being  a  success,  the 
honor  is  all  yours;  for  I  believe  none  of  us  went  further  than  to  acquiesce, 
and  taking  the  work  of  General  Thomas  into  account,  as  it  should  be 
taken,  it  is  indeed  a  great  success.  Not  only  does  it  afford  the  obvious 
and  important  military  advantages,  but,  in  showing  to  the  world  that  your 
army  could  lie  divided,  putting  the  stronger  part  to  an  important  nev  serv 
ice,  and  yet  leaving  enough  to  vanquish  the  old  opposing  force  of  the 
whole,  Hood's  army,  it  brings  those  who  sat  in  darkness  to  see  a  great 
light.  Rut  what  next?  I  suppose  it  will  l>e  safer  that  I  leave  General 
Grant  and  yourself  to  decide. 

A.  LINCOLN. 


72  Oration  of  General  Henderson. 

FROM   SAVANNAH    TO    GOLDSBORO. 

This  letter  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  demonstrates  that  the  march  to 
the  sea  was  the  sole  conception  of.  General  SHERMAN. 

The  President  asked,  ' '  What  next? ' '  SHERMAN  lost  no  time 
in  answering.  As  soon  as  he  could  reload  his  wagons  he  started 
from  Savannah  to  attack  General  Johnston  in  the  Carolinas. 
Here  SHERMAN  ran  the  risk  of  a  combination  between  Lee  and 
Johnston's  armies — absolutely  the  only  way  to  save  the  Confed 
erate  cause. 

SHERMAN,  it  may  be  said,  violated  a  well-established  principle 
of  war  by  taking  the  exterior  lines  and  leaving  to  Lee  and  John 
ston  the  interior  ones.  SHERMAN  had  to  depend  almost  entirely 
upon  the  country  for  his  provisions.  Undoubtedly  a  concentra 
tion  would  have  been  ordered  by  Lee,  but  by  that  time  he  had 
learned  to  fear  Grant,  and  he  dreaded  to  run  the  risk  of  taking 
any  considerable  portion  of  his  own  army  to  send  to  Johnston. 
Thus  he  let  slip  the  only  possible  chance  of  saving  the  Confed 
erate  cause.  On  this  point  General  SHERMAN  has  said,  speak 
ing  of  General  Lee: 

His  sphere  of  action  was,  however,  local.  He  never  rose  to  the  grand 
problem  which  involved  a  continent  and  future  generations.  His  Virginia 
was  to  him  the  world.  Though  familiar  with  the  geography  of  the  inte 
rior  of  the  great  continent,  he  stood  like  a  stone  wall  to  defend  Virginia 
against  the  "  Huns  and  Goths  "  of  the  North,  and  he  did  it  like  a  valiant 
knight  as  he  was.  He  stood  at  the  front  porch  battling  with  the  flames 
whilst  the  kitchen  and  house  were  burning,  sure  in  the  end  to  consume  the 
whole.  Only  twice,  at  Antietam  and  Gettysburg,  did  he  venture  outside 
on  the  "offensive  defensive."  In  the  first  instance  he  knew  personally 
his  antagonist  and  that  a  large  fraction  of  his  force  would  be  held  in 
reserve;  in  the  last  he  assumed  the  bold  "  offensive,"  was  badly  beaten  by 
Meade.  and  was  forced  to  retreat  back  to  Virginia.  As  an  aggressive  sol 
dier  Lee  was  not  a  success,  and  in  war  that  is  the  true  and  proper  test. 
"Nothing  succeeds  like  success."  In  defending  Virginia  and  Richmond 
he  did  all  a  man  could,  but  to  him  Virginia  seemed  the  "  Confederacy," 
and  he  stayed  there  while  the  Northern  armies  at  the  West  were  gaining 


Oration  of  General  Henderson.  73 

the  Mississippi,  the  Tennessee,  the  Cumberland,  Georgia,  South  and  North 
Carolina,  yea,  the  Roanoke,  after  which  his  military  acumen  taught  him 
that  further  tarrying  in  Richmond  was  absolute  suicide. 

His  son,  P.  Tecumseh  Sherman,  under  date  of  November  3, 
1902,  wrote  to  me  as  follows: 

I  told  General  Dodge  that  my  father  had  always  said  that  the  extreme 
daring  of  that  march  had  never  been  appreciated,  and  that  General  Lee 
had  committed  a  grave  error  in  letting  him  get  through  without  making 
a  concerted  attempt  to  crush  his  army. 

**'***** 

The  responsibilities  and  risks  of  that  winter  march  through  the  Caro- 
linas,  with  the  possibility  of  having  Lee  and  Johnston  combined  appearing 
any  day  in  his  front,  were  something  enormous,  and  not  now  understood. 

In  this  connection  let  us  note  what  one  of  General  SHKK- 
MAN'S  corps  commanders,  in  his  annual  address  to  the  Society 
of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  said  in  regard  to  the  campaign 
in  the  Carolinas.  He  speaks  of  it  as — 

that  bold  movement  from  Savannah  to  Goldsboro,  which  is  considered  by 
the  best  critics  as  one  of  the  boldest  and  best-planned  campaigns  of  his 
tory — one  in  which  every  chance  was  taken  and  every  opportunity  given 
the  enemy  to  concentrate  upon  an  inferior  force. 

Here  is  what  General  SHERMAN  himself  said,  in  a  resume  of 
his  campaigns: 

You  can  not  attain  great  success  in  war  without  great  risks.  I  admit 
we  violated  many  of  the  old-established  rules  of  war  bv  cutting  loose  from 
our  base  and  exposing  60,000  lives.  I  had  faith  in  the  army  I  commanded. 
That  faith  was  well  founded.  Then  came  the  last  movement,  which  I  do 
contend  involved  more  labor  and  risk  than  anything  which  I  have  done 
or  ever  expect  to  do  again. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  * 

So  we  went  to  Goldsboro,  and  then  I  hastened  to  see  Mr.  Lincoln  and 
Grant  for  the  last  time.  We  talked  the  matter  over  and  agreed  perfectly. 
Grant  was  moving  then.  I  had  been  fifty  -odd  marching  days  on  light 
rations.  My  men  were  shoeless  and  without  pants,  and  needed  clothing 
and  rest.  I  hurried  back  to  Goldsboro  and  dispatched  everything  with  as 
great  rapidity  as  I  could,  and  on  the  very  day  I  appointed  I  started  in 
pursuit  of  Johnston,  let  him  be  where  he  might. 


74  Oration  of  General  Henderson. 

Before  commencing  the  North  Carolina  campaign  General 
SHERMAN  had  planned  for  a  convergence  of  all  of  his  troops  at 
Goldsboro,  N.  C.  This  would  give  him  something  over  80,000 
men  in  one  army,  after  General  Schofield  joined  him  from 
Nashville. 

General  Lee  having  failed  to  detach  any  of  his  Virginia 
troops  to  the  aid  of  General  Johnston,  the  latter  was  soon  forced 
to  surrender  after  some  sharp  fighting  before  a  junction  of 
SHERMAN'S  forces  was  effected,  which,  quickly  following  upon 
the  surrender  of  L,ee,  practically  terminated  the  war. 

General  SHERMAN  has  said  of  this  North  Carolina  campaign 
as  follows: 

When  I  reached  Goldsboro,  made  junction  with  Schofield,  and  moved 
forward  to  Raleigh,  I  was  willing  to  encounter  the  entire  Confederate 
army;  but  the  Confederate  armies — L,ee's  in  Richmond  and  Johnston's 
in  my  front — held  the  interior  lines  and  could  choose  the  initiative.  Few 
military  critics  who  have  treated  of  the  civil  war  in  America  have  ever 
comprehended  the  importance  of  the  movement  of  my  army  northward 
from  Savannah  to  Goldsboro,  or  of  the  transfer  of  Schofield  from  Nash 
ville  to  cooperate  with  me  in  North  Carolina.  This  march  was  like  the 
thrust  of  a  sword  through  the  heart  of  a  human  body,  each  mile  of  which 
swept  aside  all  opposition,  consumed  the  very  food  on  which  the  army 
depended  for  life,  and  demonstrated  a  power  in  the  National  Government 
which  was  irresistible. 

To  give  some  idea  of  the  fighting  I  quote  again  from  the 
General: 

At  Rivers  Bridge  Generals  Mower  and  Giles  A.  Smith  led  their  heads 
of  column  through  the  swamp,  the  water  being  up  to  their  shoulders, 
crossed  over  to  the  pine  lands,  turned  upon  the  brigade  which  defended 
the  passage,  and  routed  it  in  utter  disorder. 

Again,  the  General  says: 

I  honestly  believe  that  the  grand  march  of  the  western  army  from 
Atlanta  to  Savannah  and  from  Savannah  to  Raleigh  was  an  important 
factor  in  the  final  result  of  the  thrilling  victory  at  Appomattox  and  the 
glorious  triumph  of  the  Union  cause. 


Oration  of  General  Henderson.  75 

In  summing  up  the  Carolina  campaign  General  SHKKMAN 
says: 

Thus  was  concluded  one  of  the  longest  and  most  important  inarches  ever 
made  by  an  organized  army  in  a  civilized  country.  The  distance  from 
Savannah  to  Goldsboro  is  425  miles,  and  the  route  traversed  embraced  five 
large  navigable  rivers — namely,  the  Edisto,  Broad,  Catawba,  Pedee,  and 
Cape  Fear — at  each  of  which  a  comparatively  small  force  well  handled 
could  have  made  the  passage  most  difficult,  if  not  impossible. 

Referring  to  the  combination  of  forces  at  Goldsboro,  he  says: 

Our  combinations  were  such  that  General  Schofield  entered  Goldsboro 
from  Newl>ern;  General  Terry,  with  pontoons  laid  and  a  brigade,  crossed 
the  Neuse  River  intrenched,  and  we  whipped  Joseph  Johnston  all  the  same 
day. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  as  an  evidence  of  the  power  of  human 
endurance  that  the  Fourteenth,  Fifteenth,  Seventeenth,  and 
Twentieth  Army  Corps  on  the  march  to  the  sea  and  thence  to 
the  Carolinas  marched  an  average  of  about  710  miles. 

I  now  quote  the  expressive  words  of  our  presiding  officer, 
General  Dodge,  to  show  his  appreciation  of  the  campaign  in  the 
Carolinas: 

The  patience,  the  firmness,  the  resolution  with  which  he  pursued  his  diffi 
cult  campaign  against  Johnston  from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta  constitute 
one  of  the  finest  achievements  in  history.  The  lx>ldness  of  conception, 
the  ingenuity  of  the  plan,  the  accepting  of  desperate  chances  in  giving 
Lee  an  opportunity  to  crush  him  in  his  campaign  from  Savannah 
to  Goldsboro  will  forever  give  SHERMAN  prestige  as  a  bold,  fearless, 
strategical  commander.  Upon  that  campaign  alone  I  am  willing  to  stake 
SHERMAN'S  reputation  for  all  time. 

I  have  deemed  it  my  duty  to  go  somewhat  extensively  into 
the  campaign  from  Savannah  to  Goldstx>ro,  as  SHERMAN'S 
achievements  in  this  part  of  the  war  have  never  been  fully  told 
or  fully  appreciated. 

It  is  difficult  even  now  with  the  statue  of  this  great  military 
chieftain  being  unveiled  in  our  nation's  capital,  in  the  pres 
ence  of  our  nation's  Chief  Executive,  and  with  so  many  of  our 


j6  Oration  of  General  Henderson. 

nation's  war-scarred  heroes  with  us,  to  avoid  the  telling  influ 
ence  of  that  heroic,  thrilling  song,  "Marching  Through 
Georgia. ' ' 

Passing  from  his  great  campaigns,  let  us  consider  the  man, 
WILLIAM  TECUMSEH  SHERMAN. 

Elbert  Hubbard,  the  art  critic,  says:  "Small  men  are  pro 
vincial,  mediocre  men  are  cosmopolitan,  but  great  souls  are 
universal."  General  SHERMAN'S  soul  was  great — was  uni 
versal.  Although  a  great  military  genius,  his  soul  was  clothed 
in  simplicity.  Subordination  was  the  rule  of  his  military  life. 
Here  I  give  his  own  words,  and  no  one  can  give  a  single  docu 
ment  to  contradict  them: 

• 

I  have  never  in  my  life  questioned  or  disobeyed  an  order;  though  many 
and  many  a  time  have  I  risked  ni}-  life,  health,  and  reputation  in  obeying 
orders  or  even  hints,  and  executing  plans  and  purposes  not  to  my  liking. 

How  many  of  you  recall  the  fact  that  after  General  SHERMAN 
commanded  a  department  in  Kentucky  he  was  sent  to  com 
mand  Benton  Barracks,  at  St.  Louis?  It  was  simply  part  of  a 
post.  From  there  he  was  sent  to  Paducah.  When  Grant 
started  up  the  Tennessee  for  the  Donelson  campaign,  General 
SHERMAN  had  dropped  from  the  command  of  an  army  to  that 
of  a  post,  and  later  a  division. 

In  February,  1862,  he  wrote  to  Grant: 

I  should  like  to  hear  from  you,  and  will  do  anything  in  my  power  to 
hurry  forward  to  you  reenforcements  and  supplies,  and  if  I  could  be  of 
any  service  would  gladly  come  without  making  any  question  of  rank  with 
you  and  General  Smith,  whose  commissions  are  under  the  same  date. 

On  the  same  day  he  wrote  again: 

Command  me  in  any  way;  I  feel  anxious  about  you,  as  I  know  the 
great  facilities  they  (the  enemy)  have  for  concentration  by  means  of 
rivers  and  railroads,  but  have  faith  in  you. 

And  this  faith  of  SHERMAN  in  Grant,  and  I  may  say  of 
Grant  in  SHERMAN,  never  weakened  for  a  single  moment,  and 


Oration  of  General  Henderson.  77 

they  fought  like  brothers  from  the  beginning  to  the  glorious 
ending  stimulated  by  the  sole  motive  of  saving  their  country. 

He  was  strong  in  his  utterances,  \ve  must  admit,  but  it 
was  because  he  felt  so  intensely  for  the  safety  of  his  coun 
try.  Writing  on  December  21,  1863,  from  Nashville,  he 
said  to  Lincoln: 

To  secure  the  safety  of  the  Mississippi  River  I  would  slay  millions. 

This  was  not  uttered  because  he  was  bloodthirsty,  for  he 
was  not.  But  he  felt  that  at  any  cost  the  country  must  be 
saved. 

Again,  writing  to  General  Halleck,   he  said: 

Received  commission  as  brigadier-general  in  Regular  Army.  Prefer  to 
command  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  but  will  accept  any  command  Gen 
eral  Grant  desires. 

And  mark    his   letter  of   July  30,    1863,   to  General  Parke: 

When  you  see  Burnside  give  him  my  love,  and  tell  him  for  me  that  we 
are  arrayed  against  all  the  enemies  of  law  and  government — that  we  fire 
upon  secessionists  of  the  South,  the  autocrats  of  the  North,  and  the  anarch 
ists  everywhere.  Our  Government  must  govern  and  not  be  ruled  by  an 
agitator  of  the  hour. 

He  executed  all  orders  given  to  him,  and  he  expected  the 
execution  of  all  orders  given  by  him. 

He  held  deep  in  his  heart  the  old  Army  of  the  Tennes 
see,  but  he  loved  devotedly,  loyally,  every  officer  and  every 
soldier  of  the  whole  Union  Army. 

He  came  of  good  stock. 

He  tasted  poverty  in  his  childhood. 

His  life  was  full  of  activity — intense  activity. 

Conscientious,  honest  work  was  the  rule  of  his  life. 

His  death   touched   us  all    gently,   heroically,  but  when  he 
had  gone  we  felt  that  we  had  lost  WILLIAM  TECUMSEH  SHER 
MAN.      Lost,  it  is  true,  but  still  now  and  evermore  a  remain 
ing  and  deathless  part  of  the  great  civil  war. 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 6 


78  Oration  of  General  Henderson. 

He  was  the  truest  type  of  a  comrade.  To  him  ' '  com 
rade"  was  a  "holy  name." 

He  was  president  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Ten 
nessee.  How  tenderly  we  loved  him!  What  an  interest  he 
took  in  all  the  work  of  the  society! 

He  held  the  respect  and  love  of  the  Army. 

He  held  the  respect  and  love  of  the  people. 

There  was  a  tenderness  about  him  that  endeared  him  to  all. 
But,  more  than  this,  there  was  a  frank,  rugged  honesty  in  the 
man  that  bound  all  hearts  to  him.  He  was  not  afraid  of  battle. 
Why?  Because  he  was  fighting  for  his  country  and  not  for  his 
own  glory. 

Could  the  living  and  the  dead  of  the  civil  war  unite  in  one 
voice  they  would  say  of  SHERMAN:  "  He  was  a  great  man;  he 
was  a  great  soldier;  he  was  a  pure  patriot." 

May  this  statue  ever  stand  in  our  capital  as  a  monument  to 
American  courage;  as  a  monument  to  military  education;  as  a 
monument  to  Americanism,  combining  the  citizen  and  the 
soldier;  as  an  inspiration  to  the  ambitious  young  American;  as 
a  proof  that  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution  and  their  deeds  will 
never  be  forgotten  or  neglected  by  their  descendants. 

Let  it  ever  stand  as  a  peace  monument  for  all  of  our  people, 
and  therefore  it  must  stand  as  the  monument  of  WILLIAM 
TECUMSEH  SHERMAN. 

The  historian  can  not  record  all  of  the  deeds  of  SHERMAN. 
The  sculptor  is  fettered  at  his  task.  The  painter's  colors  can 
not  reveal  the  whole  man.  The  poet  can  only  sing  a  little  of 
the  story  of  his  life.  The  story  of  General  SHERMAN'S  life  is 
above  oratory.  It  is  beyond  art.  The  hearts  of  his  countrymen 
aloiie  can  tell  the  story. 


Oration  of  General  Henderson.  79 

There  is  an  heroic  patriotism  in  his  farewell  address  to  his 
army.  This  much,  in  closing,  I  must  give: 

IIo\v  far  the  operations  of  this  army  contributed  to  the  final  overthrow 
of  the  Confederacy  and  the  peace  which  now  dawns  upon  us  must  he  judged 
by  others,  not  by  us;  but  that  you  have  done  all  that  men  could  do  has 
been  admitted  by  those  in  authority,  and  we  have  a  right  to  join  in  the  uni 
versal  joy  that  fills  our  land  because  the  war  is  over,  and  our  Government 
stands  vindicated  before  the  world  by  the  joint  action  of  the  volunteer 
armies  and  navies  of  the  United  States. 

*  *  *  *  *  * 

Your  general  now  bids  you  farewell,  with  the  full  l>elief  that,  as  in  war, 
you  have  been  good  soldiers,  so  in  peace  yon  will  make  good  citizens. 

The  presiding  officer  next  presented  Maj.  Gen.  Daniel  E. 
Sickles,  representing  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 


S.  Dor.  320 — 5S-2. 


GENERAL 


The  lvt.    the 

1    something    to   tin-   f.u: 

afterwards  consolidated  into  the  T\\  vrmy  Co 

•"'  .kv^.h.  j*i**>  *  j^«  *4*  & 


an 

'  >m 

;»»!  •  )»ot  * 


,  and  to 

rOiw    fwiiJiiKr-rocWi     ..(wpoJ    ivrje^M 

which    so   otten    meimceii,  \VashiHtrton..      It    \\-as    MIKKM^V'S 

•>.     .   T     .  lKT»ll->K-T(>tKf?»      I"      'Jltt.l 

mission,  with   the  armies  of   thnXTennesset.    Cuniheiiand.   an<i 
;tel)liK)d  of    the  Confederacy   by   the  c<>n- 

•°rKia  a'  rvelous   cam 

paign  of  '64-'  65. 

IKRMAN   fills  a  conspicuous   page   in   tlu-   history   of   ^ruU 

ters.      Hi-  will  always  hold  hi.uh  rank  in  the  estim: 
.mericans  as  one  r.f  our  foremost  heroes.      He  is  ^rotij>ed 
Sheridan    ai  ias    among  utenants  of 

these  accomplished  leaders  pree  mi:  'o  be  given,  most 

will   agree   that    in   the   popular  regard    SHERMAN 
ai\\          <t<x.xl  next   to  Grant. 

la-t  years  were  spent  in  the  city  of   New  York, 

we  were  neighbors  and  friends.  Born  in  Ohio,  he  was 


Maj.  Gen.  DANIEL  E.  SICKLES,  of  New  York. 

April,  entered  the  Army;  June,  colonel  First  Excelsior  Brigade;  September 
rigadier-general.    1862— Peninsula  (Virginia)  Campaign;  November,  major- 
general  commanding  Second  Divisioti.  Third  Corps,  and  Third  Army 
Corps  at  Chancellorsville  and  Gettysburg,  where  he  lost  a  leg; 
command   Department   of    South    Carolina.      1866— 
Colonel  Forty-second  I".  S.  Infantry  (Veteran 
Reserve    Corps).      1869— Retired   with 
rank   of   major-general,   V.  S. 
Army, 


GENERAL  SICKLES'S  ADDRESS. 


The  Army  of  the  Potomac,  which  I  have  the  honor  to 
represent  here  to-day,  contributed  something  to  the  fame  of 
General  SHERMAN.  We  gave  to  SHERMAN  our  Hooker, 
Slocum,  and  Howard,  and  the  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Corps, 
afterwards  consolidated  into  the  Twentieth  Army  Corps,  thus 
creating  a  tie  of  kinship  between  the  great  armies  of  the  East 
and  West.  No  warmer  appreciation  of  SHERMAN'S  genius 
and  achievements  was  heard,  even  in  the  ranks  of  the  armies 
he  commanded,  than  was  voiced  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

It  was  the  task  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  to  defend  this 
capital,  and  to  destroy  and  capture  the  superb  army  of  Lee, 
which  so  often  menaced  Washington.  It  was  SHERMAN'S 
mission,  with  the  armies  of  the  Tennessee,  Cumberland,  and 
Ohio,  to  drain  the  lifeblood  of  the  Confederacy  by  the  con 
quest  of  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas  in  his  marvelous  cam 
paign  of  '64-' 65. 

SHERMAN  fills  a  conspicuous  page  in  the  history  of  great 
commanders.  He  will  always  hold  high  rank  in  the  estimation 
of  Americans  as  one  of  our  foremost  heroes.  He  is  grouped 
with  Sheridan  and  Thomas  among  the  chief  lieutenants  of 
Grant.  No  matter  what  military  critics  may  say  as  to  which 
of  these  accomplished  leaders  preeminence  is  to  be  given,  most 
of  us  will  agree  that  in  the  popular  regard  SHERMAN  has 
always  stood  next  to  Grant. 

SHERMAN'S  last  years  were  spent  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
where  we  were  neighbors  and  friends.  -  Born  in  Ohio,  he  was 

(81) 


82  General  Sickle  s^s  Address. 

quickly  adopted  by  our  people  as  one  of  their  own.  He  died 
in  1891.  His  funeral  ceremonies  in  the  great  metropolis 
brought  together  a  mourning  multitude,  such  as  had  never 
been  witnessed  in  our  streets,  except  in  the  obsequies  of  L,in- 
coln  and  Grant.  Not  one  of  the  mourners  was  more  impressed 
by  a  profound  sense  of  the  national  bereavement  than  Gen. 
"Joe"  Johnston,  of  the  Confederate  Army,  SHERMAN'S  bril 
liant  adversary  in  his  greatest  campaign.  We  have  a  statue  of 
SHERMAN  at  the  entrance  to  our  Central  Park  in  New  York, 
which  testifies  our  admiration  of  his  character  as  a  citizen  and 
of  his  distinction  as  a  soldier. 

SHERMAN  might  have  filled  the  highest  office  in  the  Govern 
ment  if  he  had  not  declared  that  if  nominated  President  he 
would  not  accept,  and  if  elected  he  would  refuse  to  serve.  He 
left  the  honors  of  the  political  arena  to  his  distinguished  brother, 
whose  ambition  he  would  neither  assist  nor  hinder.  He  refused 
to  stay  in  Washington  as  a  figurehead  in  the  office  of  the  com 
mander  of  the  Army,  and  established  his  headquarters  in  St. 
Louis,  and  SHERMAN  was  right.  He  was  commander  of  the 
Army  from  March,  1869,  to  November,  1883,  and  retired  from 
active  service  in  February  of  the  following  year. 

No  one  who  comes  to  Washington  need  be  told  that  we  are  a 
martial  people.  The  capital  is  adorned  by  many  memorials  of 
our  great  captains.  These  monuments  will  remind  future  gen 
erations  of  the  wars  that  signalized  the  first  century  of  our 
national  life.  They  will  recall  to  those  who  come  after  us  the 
magnitude  and  glory  of  the  struggle  for  the  preservation  of 
the  Union;  the  unmeasured  sufferings  and  sacrifices  of  our 
defenders;  the  vast  multitudes  that  rallied  to  the  flag  after 
Sumter;  the  armed  hosts  that  vanished  like  morning  mists 
after  the  surrender  of  Lee  and  the  capture  of  Davis;  the  sleep 
less  energy  of  Stanton,  our  illustrious  War  Secretary,  who 


General  Sickles' s  AcHres*.  83 

organized  our  armies — the  victories  of  Antietani  and  Gettys 
burg,  of  Vicksburg,  Atlanta,  and  Appomattox,  and,  above  all, 
our  descendants  will  1>e  forever  reminded  by  these  statues  of 
the  epoch  and  name  of  Lincoln,  a  name  honored  by  all  nations 
and  evermore  consecrated  in  the  affections  of  the  American 
people  as  the  savior  of  the  Republic. 

The  presiding  officer  then  introduced  Gen.  Charles  H.  Gros- 
venor,  representing  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 


Bria.  Gen.  CHARLES  H.  GROSVENOR,  of  Ohio. 

uly,  entered  the  Eighteenth  Ohio  Volunteers  and  served  till  November,  1865; 
was  Major,  Lieutenant-Colonel.  Colonel,  and  Brevet  Brigadier-General  of 
Volunteers,  commanding  a  brigade  at  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn. 
December,  1864. 


GENERAL  GROSVENOR'S  ADDRESS. 


Mr.  President  and  Comrades,  from  the  day  when  WILLIAM 
TECUMSEH  SHERMAN  achieved  greatness  and  secured  immor 
tality  as  a  soldier  until  the  day  of  his  death  he  stood,  in  the 
eyes  and  estimation  of  the  world,  as  one  of  the  great  figures 
which  emerged  from  the  obscurity  of  peace  into  the  effulgent 
glory  of  war.  But  when  Death,  the  great  destroyer,  swept  him 
off  the  stage  of  action  he  became  the  subject  of  almost  universal 
eulogy.  Comments  in  criticism,  almost  universally  favorable 
and  complimentary  of  his  character  and  achievements,  were 
spoken  in  every  language  known  to  the  human  race,  and  in  our 
own  language  eulogy  had  long  ago  been  exhausted.  Turn 
as  you  will,  study  as  you  may,  think  as  you  can,  and  the 
world  would  pronounce  you  a  genius  if  you,  by  any  result  of 
study  or  accident  of  the  hour,  said  something  new  of  SHERMAN. 
There  was  no  phase  of  his  character,  striking  or  commonplace, 
lovable  or  unbeloved,  great  or  small  (if  he  had  a  small  charac 
teristic)  that  has  not  been  discussed  elaborately  and  minutely. 
He  has  been  the  subject  of  friendly  criticism  and  of  occasional 
depreciation.  The  subject  of  his  character  and  the  history  of 
his  achievements  are  exhausted  subjects,  and  yet  we  come  here 
to-day,  representatives  of  four  great  army  societies  and  repre 
sentatives  of  a  mighty  sentiment  in  the  United  States,  to  do 
honor  to  the  memory  of  SHERMAN.  It  may  be  well  said  that 
nothing  that  we  do  here  to-day  will  add  to  his  fame.  No 
expression  of  opinion  that  we  may  make  will  either  add  to  or 

- 


86  General  Grosvenor's  Address. 

detract  from  the  world's  judgment  of  SHERMAN.  The  verdict 
of  impartial  history  has  been  written,  and  judgment  has  been 
rendered  upon  it,  and  no  expression  of  opinion  that  can  be 
made  at  this  late  day  will  in  the  smallest  degree  modify  public 
judgment. 

He  stands  in  history  as  one  of  the  foremost  soldiers  of  the 
nineteenth  century.  I  do  not  put  him  in  comparison  with  any 
of  the  soldiers  of  our  civil  war.  I  am  not  here  as  the  repre 
sentative  of  an  army  society  to  institute  comparisons  in  any 
possible  way,  or  by  implication,  or  by  any  suggestion  that  might 
possibly  be  made;  but  what  I  do  say  is  that,  taking  the  history 
of  other  nations  and  other  wars  and  beginning  at  the  dawn  of 
the  nineteenth  century  and  coming  down  through  all  the  wars 
and  studying  the  character  and  achievements  of  all  the  soldiers, 
there  is  no  one  character  so  faultless,  no  one  character  so  bril 
liant,  no  one  character  so  great  in  the  elements  of  soldierly 
greatness,  as  appertains  by  common  consent  to  the  name  and 
career  and  genius  of  WILLIAM  TECUMSEH  SHERMAN. 

He  was  born  in  Ohio,  in  the  grand  old  city  of  Lancaster, 
a  city  that  has  given  birth  to  many  great  men  whom  I  might 
name.  He  went  forth,  a  young  man  to  the  Military  Academy, 
with  hope  and  ambition  to  do  honor  to  his  native  city,  his 
native  county,  and  his  native  State,  and  to  his  father  and 
mother  and  his  friends  and  neighbors,  and  he  achieved  the 
purpose  of  his  ambition — he  won  out  in  the  great  struggle  for 
supremacy. 

If  I  should  enter  upon  the  task  of  reviewing  SHERMAN'S 
campaigns  and  pointing  out  the  genius  manifested  in  this  and 
the  excellence  comprehended  in  that  and  the  high  qualities 
developed  in  all  of  them,  I  should  be  but  treading  upon  oft- 
trodden  ground.  Description  has  been  beggared,  detail  has 
been  exhausted,  and  eulogy  ended. 


General  Grosvenor's  Address.  87 

One  or  two  special  characteristics  may  be  here  properly 
referred  to.  He  was  the  first  man  apparently  who  appreciated 
the  magnitude  of  the  struggle  that  we  entered  upon  in  1861. 
He  seemed  to  understand  the  situation  better  than  any  of  his 
contemporaries.  He  was  in  a  position  to  see  and  know  and 
judge.  He  had  been  for  a  considerable  time  in  the  South  and 
understood  the  bitter  determination  of  the  southern  people  to 
destroy  the  Union  and  set  up  another  government.  He  knew 
exactly  how  completely  the  great  mind  of  the  South  was  united 
on  this  question.  He  understood  how,  for  more  than  a  genera 
tion,  the  South  had  been  organizing  public  opinion,  preparing 
for  the  dread  encounter;  and  he  knew  that  the  people  of  the 
South  were  a  unit  in  action,  and  that  they  would  destroy  this 
Government,  and  that  in  doing  so,  if  necessary,  they  would 
sacrifice  everything  they  held  dear  on  earth.  He  knew  the 
character  of  that  people.  He  knew  that  when  they  made  the 
declaration  which  they  did  make  it  meant  the  expenditure  of 
effort — exactly  as  it  did  mean,  as  it  developed — and  SHERMAN 
stated  his  opinion.  He  spoke  then  as  he  always  spoke  all  his 
lifetime — openly,  manfully,  aboveboard — and  he  judged  and  so 
said,  and  so  sent  it  abroad,  that  there  ought  to  be  200,000  men 
raised  as  early  as  the  summer  of  1861  for  the  campaign  in 
Kentucky  and  the  Southwest  alone;  and  so  startling  was  his 
proposition,  so  unthought  of  by  the  great  leaders  of  thought 
and  opinion  in  the  United  States,  that  it  was  announced  with 
out  qualification,  without  any  hesitation,  without  a  thought 
that  it  might  be  erroneous,  that  SHKRMAN  was  cra/.y.  I  re 
member  the  circumstances  very  well  when  he  was  stripped  of 
his  command  of  the  then  Army  of  the  Ohio,  with  headquarters 
at  Louisville,  and  the  command  was  turned  over  to  that  excel 
lent  soldier  and  true  patriot,  in  my  judgment,  Don  Carlos  Bnell. 
I  rememter  when  the  two  generals  came  to  Elizabethtown, 


88  General  Grosvenor's  Address. 

where  the  troops  to  which  I  belonged  were  stationed,  and  I 
remember,  as  SHERMAN  passed  around  and  pointed  out  to  Buell 
this  regiment  and  that  regiment,  this  brigade  and  that  brigade — 
I  remember  how  the  faces  of  the  men  and  officers  bore  traces 
of  deep  sympathy  and  commiseration  that  so  promising  a  soldier 
as  SHERMAN  should  have  so  suddenly  lost  his  mind  and  become 
incapable;  and  he  went  back  to  the  rear,  and  Buell  took  his 
place.  He  never  complained;  he  never  grumbled;  he  never 
deprecated  the  order.  He  was  a  soldier  every  inch  of  him,  and 
whatever  ambition  he  ma}*  have  had,  and  it  was  great,  and 
whatever  hope  of  preferment  he  may  have  had — and  he  cer 
tainly  was  buoyed  up  by  it  when  he  entered  the  service — he 
never  yielded  to  the  usual  wail  of  a  disappointed  man,  but  he 
waited  and  took  the  position  which  would  be  offered  to  him  in 
the  future,  if  at  all,  and  soon  showed  to  the  world  not  only 
that  he  was  the  accomplished  soldier  that  he  was,  but  the  ac 
complished  statesman  that  he  was,  and  that  in  the  face  of  the 
predictions  of  Seward  and  the  three  months'  enlistments,  and 
all  the  infinite  catalogue  of  mistakes,  that  his  judgment  was 
without  fault — that  it  was  wise  and  efficient. 

He  very  soon  acquired  the  confidence  of  Grant  and  Lincoln. 
They  very  soon  discovered  that  the  circumstantial  evidence 
which  pointed  in  the  absurd  moment  of  ill-directed  judgment 
to  insanity  was  the  indicia  of  a  clear  mind  and  a  just  and  wise 
appreciation  of  the  whole  .situation,  and  SHERMAN  began  to 
grow — how  well  and  how  rapidly,  description  and  comment 
have  been  exhausted. 

The  march  to  the  sea  and  the  appearance  of  SHERMAN  in 
North  Carolina  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  movements  in 
modern  warfare,  and,  compared  with  the  strategy  of  more  recent 
wars,  there  is  no  comparison,  and  language  fails  to  draw  an  esti 
mate  of  the  difference  in  comparison. 


General  Grosvenor's  Address.  89 

I  do  not  know  in  whose  brain  the  original  conception  of  the 
march  to  the  sea  and  the  swinging  up  the  coast  toward  Virginia 
had  its  inception,  but  it  is  generally  understood  to  have  been 
originated  by  SHERMAN  himself;  and  certainly  the  plan  of  its 
execution,  the  details  of  its  preparation,  and  the  execution 
itself,  with  all  its  magnificence  of  strategy,  were  the  work  of 
SHERMAN,  and  when  he  led  his  victorious  army  through  the 
streets  of  Washington  and  was  received  with  enthusiasm  on 
every  hand:  when  he  received  the  thanks  of  Congress  and  the 
approval  of  the  President,  there  was  no  man  on  this  continent, 
friend  or  foe,  who  doubted  or  belittled  the  genius  of  SHERMAN. 

SHERMAN  was  not  a  great  success  in  inactivity.  He  was 
great  when  there  was  something  to  be  done,  and  he  was  efficient 
when  he  was  doing  it.  His  genius  could  plan  campaigns,  and 
his  care,  gallantry,  and  dash  could  execute  them,  but  he  did 
not  exactly  fit  into  the  groove  of  peace.  He  was  restless;  he 
was  nervous;  he  wanted  to  be  active.  He  did  not  believe  that 
a  man  at  sixty-four  years  of  age  was  necessarily  unfitted  for 
active  military  duty,  and  had  a  great  war  come  with  a  signifi 
cant  nation  before  SHERMAN  died,  he  would  have  clamored  at 
the  Executive  office  for  a  chance  to  do  something.  He  spoke 
out  boldly  against  the  organization  of  our  Army,  and  pointed 
out  the  inefficiency  of  our  system,  and  he  set  an  example  which, 
while  it  may  not  have  been  the  highest  demonstration  of  obedi 
ence  to  orders  and  acquiescence  in  system,  was  a  most  sugges 
tive  movement  when  the  General  of  the  Army  practically  threw 
up  his  office  and  left  Washington  because  of  the  incongruity  of 
the  system  under  which  he  was  called  upon  to  serve.  No 
harm  could  come  to  the  country  by  reason  of  it,  because  the 
office  of  General  of  the  Army  in  time  of  peace  had  long  ago  been 
understood  by  intelligent  men  to  hold  a  figurehead  without 
value. 


90  General  Grosvenor's  Address. 

A  row  began  away  back  in  the  days  of  Wilkinson,  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  continued  right  along  down,  and  if  there  is 
anything  that  the  Army  of  to-day  ought  to  be  congratulated 
upon  it  is  that  the  theory  of  SHERMAN  and  men  who  thought 
like  him,  a  theory  that  has  been  in  existence  in  the  minds  of 
men  for  eighty-five  years,  has  at  last  been  adopted  and  the  Con 
stitution  of  the  United  States  has  finally  been  recognized  as  the 
supreme  law  of  the  land  in  the  matter  of  the  government,  con 
trol,  and  command  of  the  United  States  Army.  Hitherto  it  had 
been  a  sort  of  neck-and-neck  race  between  the  President,  the 
constitutional  Commander  in  Chief,  and  the  General  of  the 
Army  ' '  commanding, ' '  a  most  absurd  and  incongruous  relation. 
You  could  not  repeal  the  Constitution  by  a  military  order,  and 
somehow  it  kept  standing  there,  and  it  was  an  obstacle  some 
times  to  ambition  and  sometimes  to  peace  and  good  order. 
Sometimes  its  existence  created  friction.  Sometimes  it  was 
said  that  the  enforcement  of  the  Constitution  was  oppressive. 
Sometimes  the  Executive  failed  to  assume  the  full  powers  and 
duties  conferred  by  the  Constitution,  and  SHERMAN  pointed 
out  all  these  incongruities  and  absurdities,  and  made  perfectly 
clear  to  the  intelligence  of  the  United  States  that  our  system 
was  fundamentally  wrong,  and  it  is  a  matter  of  high  congratu 
lation  to-day  that  in  the  hands  of  the  present  Executive  the  first 
real  enforcement  and  execution  of  the  Constitution  is  being 
found.  Thanks  to  Congress  for  the  change. 

So  it  is  well  that  these  four  military  societies,  comprising 
those  who  remain  on  earth  following  the  great  war,  should 
come  here  jointly,  all  as  one  society,  to  do  honor  to  the  great 
commander.  He  commanded  an  Army  of  Ohio  before  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee  or  the  Cumberland  or  the  Potomac  had 
an  existence.  He  commanded  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee 
immediately  following  the  departure  of  Grant.  He  commanded 


General  Grosvcnor's  Address.  91 

the  Anny  of  the  Cumberland  in  connection  with  the  other 
armies  and  embracing  in  the  grand  column  a  portion  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  on  the  great  campaign  to  Atlanta  and 
the  famous  march  to  the  sea. 

His  genius  is  not  the  property  of  any  of  these  armies,  but 
all  of  them.  His  renown  is  the  common  heritage  of  us  all. 
His  fame  will  go  forward  to  future  generations  as  the  fame  of 
a  great  American  soldier,  not  confined  by  the  limits  of  any 
society,  but  expanding  and  growing  and  glorious  as  the  honor 
of  an  American  soldier  ever  shall  be. 

The  presiding  officer  presented  Gen.  Thomas  J.  Henderson, 
on  behalf  of  the  Armv  of  the  Ohio. 


S.  Doc.  320—58-2. 


GEN.  THOMAS  J.  HENDERSON'S  ADDRI 


.  a  great   pleasure,  as  well  as  a  £reat  hon 
>1  upon  by  my  old  and  Ix-loved  commander 
.iti/i  In   in y  comrades  of  the  Societ) ol    •  \\ 
~\:i".i\  here  tu-day.  in  this  .TU^U-I  vts-  -. 
rst»nc  occasion,  and  sj*ak  a  few  \\.ird- 
lie  brief  time  allowed  me  i 

j>loallll  )"     /iixMHU/HH     I    x/.l/ilHT  .n..'» 

Aortin    •!   the  occasion  and  \iortV 

f.fi-jjiiiild'/  -.'(Hiilll  i(JlI'>v/l  I»IIB  f>'}iJ)fiiifl  -)rrf)  I 
I>rti  '  •">  ->ilt  rtr  'tfnt>n-yr.  ml 


•MLS   deeds'      H 

•H.-cnpy  on  this 

•  ind    the    great 

I    tiul  the  victories 

he  won,  ;«m  ;.i   his  fame  more 

imperMhahh  •  ,,f  which  this 

•     i   into  his  own 


Gen.  THOMAS  J.  HENDERSON,  of  Illinois. 

1862-1865 — Colonel  One  hundred  and  twelfth  Illinois  Volunteers.     1865 — lirevet  brig 
adier-general  for  services  in  the  Georgia  and  Tennessee  campaigns  and 
especially  in  the  battle  of  Franklin,  Tt-iin.,  Nov.  30, 1864. 


GEN.  THOMAS  J.  HENDERSON'S  ADDRESS. 


It  is  a  great  pleasure,  as  well  as  a  great  honor,  to  me  to  be 
called  upon  by  my  old  and  beloved  commander,  General  Scho- 
field,  and  by  my  comrades  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the 
Ohio,  to  stand  here  to-day,  in  this  august  presence,  and  on  this 
great,  historic  occasion,  and  speak  a  few  words  in  their  behalf. 
And  yet  in  the  brief  time  allowed  me  in  which  to  speak  what 
can  I  say  worthy  of  the  occasion  and  worthy  of  the  great  sol 
dier  and  great  commander  of  the  grand  army  of  the  West,  in 
whose  honor  and  to  whose  memory  this  beautiful  equestrian 
statue  has  been  erected? 

Shall  I  speak  of  SHERMAN  and  of  his  glorious  deeds?  It 
will  consume  most,  if  not  all,  the  time  I  am  to  occupy  on  this 
occasion  to  even  name  the  great  campaigns  and  the  great 
marches  he  made,  the  great  battles  he  fought  and  the  victories 
he  won,  and  which  have  made  his  name  and  his  fame  more 
imperishable  and  enduring  than  is  the  bronze  of  which  this 
beautiful  statue  has  been  formed  and  fashioned  into  his  own 
image. 

The  name  of  SHERMAN  and  the  memory  of  his  illustrious 
military  service  will  live  forever  in  the  hearts  and  affections  of 
all  who  served  under  his  command  and  of  every  lover  of  this 
proud  Republic  which  his  valor,  his  patriotism,  and  his  great 
generalship  contributed  so  much  to  preserve  and  perpetuate  for 
us  and  for  the  generations  which  are  to  follow  after  us. 

(93) 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 7 


94  Gen.  Tliomas  J.  Henderson's  Address. 

Shall  I  speak  of  the  grand  army  of  the  West,  which  SHER 
MAN  commanded,  and  of  its  glorious  service?  It  was  a  great 
army,  and  it  would  require  volumes  to  tell  the  story  of  its  great 
deeds  and  glorious  achievements  in  defending  and  maintaining 
the  union  of  States  and  in  preserving  this  great  Government  of 
the  people  established  by  our  fathers.  The  record  of  its 
marches,  its  battles,  and  its  glorious  triumphs  will  ever  adorn 
the  brightest  pages  of  our  country's  history.  If  the  lesson  of 
its  bravery,  its  loyalty  and  its  patriotic  devotion  to  the  flag  of 
our  country  shall  be  properly  impressed  upon  the  minds  and 
hearts  of  the  generations  which  shall  come  after  us,  and  be 
followed  by  them,  then  this  proud  Republic,  this  mighty  nation, 
will  endure  to  the  end  of  time.  And  I  know  this  is  the  earnest 
wish  and  desire  of  all  assembled  here  to-day,  and  of  every 
survivor  of  all  the  great  armies  which  fought  to  maintain  the 
Union,  and  for  the  honor  and  glory  of  the  free  Government 
bequeathed  to  us  by  our  patriotic,  liberty-loving  fathers. 

In  thus  referring,  as  I  have  done,  to  the  grand  army  of  the 
West  and  its  illustrious  service,  I  do  not  wish  it  to  be  under 
stood  that  I  have  either  forgotten  or  underestimated  the  glori 
ous  service  of  that  other  grand  army  in  the  war  for  the  Union — 
the  grand  Army  of  the  Potomac.  That  magnificent  army,  under 
the  command  of  McClellan,  of  Burnside,  of  Hooker,  of  Meade, 
and  finally  of  Grant,  the  greatest  of  all  our  great  commanders, 
wras  by  its  position  the  defender  at  all  times  of  the  national  cap 
ital,  the  loss  of  which  at  any  time  might  have  been  the  loss  of 
the  cause  for  which  we  fought.  But  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
fought  many  of  the  greatest  battles  of  the  \var  and  won  many 
of  the  most  glorious  victories,  culminating  in  the  occupation  of 
Richmond,  the  Confederate  capital,  the  surrender  of  Lee's  army 
at  Appomattox,  and  the  glorious  termination  of  the  war  for  the 


Gen,  Thomas,  J.  ffcndersorfs  Address.  95 

Union,  the  greatest  war  ever  waged  by  mankind  for  freedom 
and  free  government. 

All  honor  and  all  glory  to  the  grand  Army  of  the  Potomac! 
It  did  its  work  nobly  and  it  did  it  well.  Hut  on  this  occasion 
it  seems  more  appropriate  to  speak  of  SHERMAN  and  of  his 
great  army  and  of  their  service.  And  while  I  neither  forget 
nor  underestimate  the  distinguished  service  of  the  grand  Army 
of  the  Potomac.  I  do  not  want  that  army  to  forget  or  under 
estimate  the  equally  distinguished  service  of  the  grand  Army  of 
the  West,  composed  as  it  was  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  the  Army  of  the  Ohio — under 
command  of  that  great  soldier  and  hero  whom  we  honor  to-day, 
WILLIAM  TECUMSEH  SHERMAN.  The  grand  Army  of  the 
West  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  the  greatest  campaign,  I  think, 
of  the  war  for  the  Union,  if  not  of  all  wars,  fought  its  way  day 
by  day,  week  by  week,  and  month  by  month  for  more  than 
three  months,  from  Buzzard  Roost  and  Tunnel  Hill  to  Atlanta, 
and  on  to  Jonesboro  and  Lovejoy,  some  }>ortion  of  the  army 
under  fire  of  the  enemy  every  day  and  sometimes  at  night;  and 
then  it  took  possession  of  Atlanta  and  Decatur.  It  pursued 
Hood  when  he  recrossed  the  Chattahoochee  with  his  army,  with 
the  purpose  of  cutting  SHERMAN'S  communications  and  cap 
turing  his  supplies,  with  so  much  vigor  and  force  that  Hood 
was  unable  to  accomplish  his  purpose  and  was  driven  off  into 
northwestern  Alabama.  Our  corps  of  this  grand  army,  General 
Schofield's,  was  then  sent  back  to  support  the  Fourth  Corps, 
under  Stanley,  and  to  help  that  grand  old  hero,  General  Thomas, 
the  "Rock  of  Chickamauga,"  take  care  of  Hood  and  his  army; 
and  Schofield  and  Stanley,  with  their  commands,  under  General 
Thomas,  when  Hood  crossed  the  Tennessee,  resisted  his  advance 
upon  Nashville  with  great  bravery  and  gallantry;  fought  the 
battles  of  Franklin  and  Nashville,  two  of  the  great  and  most 


96  Gen.  Thomas  J.  Hendersons  Address. 

decisive  battles  of  the  war;  put  Hood's  army  to  rout  and  sub 
stantially  destroyed  it,  and  ended  the  war  in  the  West. 

In  the  meantime,  SHERMAN  and  the  rest  of  the  grand  Army 
of  the  West  was  making  that  famous  march  from  Atlanta  to 
the  sea  and  up  through  the  Carolinas,  fighting  at  Bentonville, 
as  I  believe,  the  last  battle  of  the  war  for  the  Union.  And  so, 
my  comrades  of  the  grand  Army  of  the  Potomac,  the  grand 
Army  of  the  West  had  prepared  the  way  for  your  great  work, 
and  by  their  brilliant  movements  and  heroic  action  made  it  pos 
sible  for  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  to  occupy  Richmond  and 
demand  the  surrender  of  Lee's  army.  And  I  say,  all  honor 
and  all  glory  to  the  grand  Army  of  the  West,  and  to  SHERMAN, 
its  great  commander. 

Comrades  of  the  grand  Army  of  the  West,  let  me  ask  you, 
Do  you  remember  the  last  review  SHERMAN  made  of  his  great 
Army,  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.?  I  remember  it  well  as  one  of  the  most 
interesting  events  of  my  life.  The  war  was  well  over.  There 
was  a  sweet  sense  of  peace  in  the  air,  as  well  as  in  the  hearts 
of  the  soldiers  of  the  entire  Army,  and  everybody  was  happy; 
I  know  I  was  happy;  and  how  well  I  remember  SHERMAN  as 
he  reviewed  his  veteran  army,  corps  by  corps  and  army  by 
army,  until  the  Twentieth  and  last  corps  to  be  reviewed,  as  I 
remember,  was  reviewed  by  the  immortal  Grant!  What  a  re 
view  that  was,  and  when  it  was  over  what  a  shout  went  up 
from  the  vast  multitude  of  officers  and  men  who  had  come 
together  to  witness  it !  It  was  a  shout  of  triumph  and  of  great 
joy.  I  never  saw  SHERMAN  look  so  tall  before  as  he  did  when 
his  veteran  army  was  marching  by  in  review.  His  face  was 
radiant  with  joy,  the  joy  which  comes  from  the  consciousness 
of  duty  nobly  done  and  \vell  performed.  I  never  felt  in  all  my 
life  a  deeper  love  of  country,  nor  did  I  ever  have  a  stronger 
faith  in  the  future  greatness  and  glory  of  our  country  and  the 


Gen.  Thomas  /.  Hendersons  Address.  97 

]>erpetuation  of  our  great  free  Government  than  I  did  when 
witnessing  that  review  of  SHERMAN'S  great  arniy. 

I  am  proud,  if  I  may  be  permitted  to  say  so,  of  the  fact  that 
I  was  an  humble  soldier  of  the  grand  Army  of  the  West,  and 
that  I  served  under  SHERMAN.  I  am  proud  also  that  I  served 
in  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  from  its  organization  until  the  end  of 
its  distinguished  service.  I  might  have  been  equally  as  proud 
to  have  served  in  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  or  in  the  Army 
of  the  Cumljerland,  txith  splendid  armies — but  no  prouder.  I 
am  proud  also  to  have  served  under  the  command  of  that 
great  soldier  and  brave  commander,  General  Schofield,  of 
whom  General  SHKKMAN  said  at  one  time,  in  speaking  of  him 
and  his  service,  "Where  he  was  there  was  security."  He 
was  a  great  soldier,  and  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  has  a  right  to 
be  proud  of  its  service  under  his  command.  I  am  glad  to  see 
him  here  to-day  in  such  good  health,  participating  in  the  dedi 
cation  of  this  statue  to  SHERMAN,  whom  I  know  he  loved  and 
honored,  as  we  all  do  so  much.  God  bless  him  and  spare  him 
for  many  years  to  come,  to  enjoy  the  distinction  and  the  hap 
piness  he  so  well  deserves. 

In  a  notable  speech  made  by  General  SHERMAN  at  the  first 
annual  reunion  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  he  spoke  these 
commendable  words:  "  I  claim  to  be  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio, 
of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  of  the  Army  of  the  Ten 
nessee.  I  care  not  in  which  you  throw  me  for  fame,  my  title 
there  is  heritage  enough  for  me;  but  bound  together,  all  in 
one,  the  grand  Army  of  the  West,  'the  commander'  is  a  title 
of  which  I  am  proud  indeed;"  and  having  that  title,  this 
l>eautiful  statue  has  been  erected  and  dedicated  to  his  memory; 
and  I  trust  it  will  stand  here,  in  the  capital  of  the  nation  he 
contributed  so  much  to  save,  for  all  time  to  come  to  honor  and 
to  perpetuate  his  great  name  and  fame. 


fiits  made  b\   C<>1. 

!1  duller  ot    •iHiUUll 

iv;  of  the  stattK-  UK!  the  coi 

*AMI»HT  .I'O, 


i(»rmri->t>!hfi>oi<v*it"W<M  l 

;i   \\ords.  which  ^a\'f  a  ton 
.:>    ciithusiasticalh   a])j>lan 
-,.'1  Kiulit  Rt-v.  llenrv  V. 


-h   U  \\rll 


Col.  THOMAS  \V.  SYMONS, 
Engineer  Corps,  i~.  S.  Army. 
In  charge  of  Monument  and  Cereni 


CONCLUSION. 


At  the  close  of  General  Henderson's  address,  General  Dodge 
stepped  forward  and  in  a  few  well-chosen  remarks,  in  behalf  of 
the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  and  of  the  army 
societies  which  had  united  with  it  in  celebration  of  this  occa 
sion,  thanked  the  President  and  distinguished  assemblage  alxnit 
him  for  their  presence.  He  also  expressed  his  appreciation  of 
the  excellent  arrangements  made  by  Col.  Thomas  \V.  Symons, 
Engineer  Corps,  U.  S.  Army,  in  charge  of  monument  and  cere 
monies,  for  the  unveiling  of  the  statue  and  the  comfort  and  con 
venience  of  the  guests.  He  also  referred  to  the  merited  tribute 
paid  to  the  veterans  of  the  civil  war  in  the  general  scheme  of 
decoration.  His  forceful  words,  which  gave  a  touch  of  com 
pleteness  to  the  event,  were  enthusiastically  applauded,  at  the 
end  of  which  he  called  upon  Right  Rev.  Henry  V.  Satterlee, 
Bishop  (P.  E.)  of  Washington,  to  pronounce  the  Ixmediction. 

BENEDICTION. 

The  God  of  Peace,  who  brought  again  from  the  dead  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  through 
the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant,  make  you  perfect  in 
every  work  to  do  His  will,  working  in  you  that  which  is  well 
pleasing  in  His  sight.  Through  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  l>e 
glory  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen. 

DEPARTURE    OF    THE    PRESIDENT. 

As  the  guests  were  departing  a  brilliant  gathering  of  military 
and  naval  heroes  of  the  late  wars  of  the  United  States  formed 

(99) 


TOO  Conclusion. 

about  the  President,  who  received  them  with  every  indication 
of  gratification  at  being  thus  able  to  take  them  by  the  hand. 
At  the  close  of  this  impromptu  side  scene  the  President  and 
party  left  the  grand  stand  for  the  White  House,  escorted  by  the 
commander  and  a  guard  of  honor  from  the  Department  of  the 
Potomac,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  a  detachment  from 
the  Washington  Battalion  of  Minute  Men.  The  United  States 
Marine  Band,  as  a  closing  number,  played  the  "Thomas  Jeffer 
son  March"  (Santelmann). 

COMPLIMENTED    BY   THE    PRESIDENT. 

From  the  moment  Colonel  Symons  gave  the  signal  for  the 
concerted  parts  of  his  programme  to  begin,  every  movement 
went  forward  in  perfect  harmony.  As  the  President  was  about 
to  leave  the  grand  stand,  he  turned  to  Colonel  Symons  in  order 
to  tender  to  him  a  formal  expression  of  his  appreciation  of  the 
excellent  taste  and  execution  of  the  arrangements  of  the 
dedication. 

The  varied  experience  of  this  accomplished  officer  admirably 
adapted  him  to  the  important  ceremonial  functions  which  he 
was  called  upon  to  superintend  in  addition  to  his  engineering 
duties.  Although  his  assignment  dated  from  May,  1903, 
he  performed  six  years  of  important  professional  services 
under  the  General  and  District  governments  at  Washington, 
where  he  was  brought  in  touch  with  public  affairs.  At  Buffalo 
he  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  management  of  the  Pan- 
American  Exposition  and  took  part  in  the  entertainment  of 
officials  representing  the  Government  of  the  United  States  and 
ambassadors  and  plenipotentiaries  of  the  governments  of  the 
world. 

The  stands,  decorations,  seating,  and  mechanics  of  the  unveil 
ing  were  under  the  direction  of  Colonel  Symons  and  carried  out 


Conclusion.  101 

by  Mr.  Frederick  I).  Owen,  of  the  office  of  engineer  in  charge 
of  public  buildings  and  grounds;  photographs  of  events  by 
Jan-is. 

COMMITTEE   ON    RECEPTION. 

The  success  of  the  seating  of  the  vast  assemblage  was  also  a 
subject  of  universal  approbation.  The  following  was  the  per 
sonnel  of  this  committee: 

Frederick  I).  Owen,  chairman,  Phillip  Walker,  Robert  S.  Hume,  John 
B.  Thompson,  Frank  B.  Smith,  William  S.  Broughton,  Henry  W.  Samson, 
Newton  L.  Collamer,  Lee  R.  Martin,  Dr.  Joseph  S.  Wall,  Dr.  J.  Breckin- 
ridge  Bayne,  Henry  O.  Hall,  Dr.  J.  H.  McCormick,  Frank  A.  Birgfeld, 
Edward  S.  Glavis,  Albert  Ford  Ferguson,  Herman  W.  Birgfeld,  W.  P. 
Van  Wickle,  John  P.  Earnest,  Dr.  Loren  B.  T.  Johnson,  H.  P.  R.  Holt, 
John  K.  Stauffer,  William  L.  Browning,  Francis  F.  Gillen,  Robt.  Preston 
Shealey,  Thomas  P.  Randolph,  John  E.  Fenrick,  William  H.  Bayly, 
Wallace  D.  McLean,  William  H.  Pearce,  F.  G.  Eiker,  Leon  L.  L.  French, 
Joseph  C.  Hardie,  Dr.  John  L.  Wirt,  Harry  W.  Van  Dyke,  Dr.  Frank  L. 
Biscoe,  Dr.  Charles  C.  Marbury,  Wilbur  S.  Smith,  John  S.  Smith,  Alexander 
G.  Bentley,  R.  B.  Turley,  Benjamin  R.  Rhees,  John  D.  Carmodv. 


REUNIONS. 


COMMEMORATIVE    OAYETIKS. 

The  gathering  of  heroes  of  the  civil  war  and  their  friends 
was  one  of  the  most  impressive  witnessed  in  Washington  since 
the  famous  May  day  of  1865,  when  the  four  great  armies 
marched  in  the  grand  review  before  the  President  of  the 
United  States.  Among  the  number  were  also  surviving  vet 
erans  of  the  Mexican  war,  in  which  the  subject  of  commemo 
ration  was  a  participant,  and  their  descendants  and  a  splendid 
array  of  the  victors  of  the  war  with  Spain. 

In  the  personnel  of  the  multitude  of  heroes  were  men  of  the 
Blue  as  well  as  the  Gray,  in  itself  a  realization  of  SHERMAN'S 
celebrated  epigram,  "War's  legitimate  object  is  more  perfect 
peace."  All  were  of  common  impulse  to  do  honor  to  one  of 
the  Republic's  foremost  military  chieftains  and  to  celebrate 
more  than  a  half  century  of  the  achievements  of  the  national 
arms  on  land  and  sea. 

It  was  therefore  a  gaia  week  amid  reminiscent  glories  of 
hard-fought  war  and  resplendent  peace. 

THE  SOCIETY  OK  THE  ARMY  OK  THE  TENNESSEE. 

The  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  which  gave  to  the  Union  arms 
in  the  civil  war  in  the  United  States  its  two  greatest  soldiers 
and  the  originator  and  promoter  of  the  monument  unveiled, 
was  in  all  essential  features  the  host  of  the  occasion. 

(103) 


io4  Reunions. 

The  events  of  the  week  were  ushered  in  by  the  members  of 
the  society  on  the  evening  of  October  13,  in  a  body,  making  a 
formal  call  upon  General  Dodge,  their  president,  and  Colonel 
Cadle,  secretary. 

Officers,  1903-4. 

President. — Grenville  M.  Dodge,  Iowa. 

Vice-presidents. — Maj.  Win.  Warner,  Missouri;  Col.  James  Kilbourne, 
Ohio;  Gen.  \V.  T.  Clark,  District  of  Columbia;  Col.  O.  D.  Kinsman, 
District  of  Columbia;  Col.  B.  H.  Peterson,  Louisiana;  Capt.  G.  A.  Busse, 
Illinois;  Gen.  John  C.  Black,  Illinois;  Maj.  D.  W.  Reed,  Illinois;  Mrs. 
Minnie  Sherman  Fitch,  Pennsylvania;  Capt.  George  Ady,  Colorado; 
Maj.  W.  R.  McComas,  Ohio;  Maj.  George  Mason,  Illinois;  Maj.  W.  L.  B. 
Jenney,  Illinois;  Capt.  John  B.  Colton,  Missouri;  Gen.  J.  W.  Barlow, 
U.  S.  Army,  Connecticut. 

Corresponding  secretary.  — Gen.  Andrew  Hickenlooper,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Recording  secretary. — Col.  Cornelius  Cadle,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Treasurer. — Maj.  A.  M.  Van  Dyke,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

This  reminiscent  society  was  founded  by  the  officers  of  that 
army  of  the  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi,  Maj.  Gen. 
WILLIAM  T.  SHERMAN  commanding,  in  camp  at  Raleigh, 
N.  C.,  April  14,  1865,  on  its  home  march  to  the  capital  of  the 
Union  which  it  was  so  largely  instrumental  in  rescuing  from 
dissolution. 

In  1866  the  first  meeting  was  held  after  the  cessation  of  hos 
tilities,  with  Gen.  John  A.  Rawlins  president  until  his  death  in 
1869.  In  that  year  General  SHERMAN  was  chosen  head  of  the 
society,  until  his  death  in  1891,  when  he  was  succeeded  by 
Gen.  G.  M.  Dodge,  who  inaugurated  the  movement  which  led 
to  the  erection  of  the  monument,  and  who  presided  over  the 
splendid  ceremonial  tribute  to  its  unveiling. 

PREPARING    FOR   THE  .CEREMONIES. 

In  order  to  anticipate  a  full  representation  of  the  members  of 
the  society,  General  Dodge,  president,  a  month  preceding  the 
unveiling,  sent  out  a  stirring  call,  impressing  upon  them  the 


Reunions.  105 

importance  of  attending  their  meeting  in  Washington  Octo1>er 
15  and  1 6,  "when  the  statue  of  our  old  commander,  General 
SHERMAN,  is  to  be  unveiled." 

It  is  to  be  a  national  occasion,  ami  the  armies  of  the  Potomac,  Cum 
berland,  and  Ohio  have  greatly  honored  us  by  holding  their  reunions  in 
Washington  at  the  same  time,  so  as  to  take  part  in  the  exercises.  It  is 
therefore  the  duty  of  every  member  of  our  society  whose  health  will  per 
mit  to  be  present.  It  is  the  only  opportunity  that  you  will  ever  have  to 
see  the  four  societies  of  the  great  armies  of  the  civil  war  together,  and 
many  of  the  living  distinguished  soldiers  of  that  war  will  be  present. 

The  President,  his  Cabinet,  and  the  diplomatic  corps  will  also  honor 
us  with  their  presence,  and  the  preparation  for  the  ceremonies  are  on  a 
broader  scale  than  ever  before.  I  therefore  appeal  to  you  to  attend;  bring 
your  family  and  take  part  in  a  reunion  that  no  doubt  will  be  eventful  and 
historical. 

The  unanimity  of  the  response  to  this  "assembly"  note  was 
best  shown  in  the  turn-out  of  veterans  on  the  avenues  of  Wash 
ington  who  bore  the  badge  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee. 

AN   INTERESTING    INCIDENT. 

The  regular  business  of  the  annual  session,  which  was  held 
on  the  morning  of  the  unveiling,  having  been  disposed  of,  a 
recess  was  taken  for  a  most  interesting  incident,  in  formally 
receiving  as  honored  guests  the  three  children  of  their  ' '  old 
commander" — Rev.  Thomas  Hwing  Sherman,  Mr.  P.  Tecum- 
seh  Sherman,  and  Mrs.  Minnie  Sherman  Fitch.  General 
Dodge,  president,  expressed  a  few  suitable  words  of  welcome, 
to  which  the  Reverend  Sherman  responded,  thanking  the  soci 
ety  for  its  work  in  connection  with  the  monument  to  his  father, 
and  saying  that  "the  members  of  the  society  would  always  be 
held  in  grateful  remembrance  by  the  Sherman  family. ' ' 

After  the  transaction  of  further  regular  business  the  society 
adjourned  to  meet  at  2  p.  m.  in  front  of  the  hotel.  At  that 
hour  these  veterans  of  many  fields  formed  and  marched  in  a 
Ixxly  to  the  scene  of  the  unveiling. 


io6  Reunions. 

THE    SOCIETY    OF   THE    ARMY   OF   THE    CUMBERLAND. 

On  June  10,  1865,  a  meeting  of  officers  and  enlisted  men 
of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  was  held  at  the  headquar 
ters  of  the  artillery  command  of  the  Fourth  Army  Corps  in 
the  vicinity  of  Nashville,  Term.,  to  arrange  for  the  adoption 
of  a  badge  to  signalize  and  perpetuate  the  history  of  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland.  The  five-pointed  star,  with  appro 
priate  emblems,  was  selected. 

In  response  to  a  call  in  February,  1868,  the  Society  of 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  was  organized  at  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  with  Maj.  Gen.  George  H.  Thomas  president,  and  a 
membership  of  353,  among  whom  was  Maj.  Gen.  P.  H. 
Sheridan.  In  the  list  of  membership  since  have  been  three 
Presidents  of  the  United  States — Grant,  Garfield,  and  Harri 
son—and  four  generals  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States — 
Grant,  Sherman,  Schofield,  and  Sheridan. 

The  following  are  the  officers  of  the  society,    1903: 

President. — Gen.  H.  V.  Boynton. 

Corresponding  secretary. — Maj.  John  Tweedale. 

Treasurer. — Gen.  Frank  G.  Smith. 

Recording  secretary. — Col.  J.  W.  Steele. 

Historian.— Col.  G.  C.  Kniffin. 

Executive  committee. — Gen.  J.  Barnett,  chairman;  Capt.  J.  \V.  Foley, 
Gen.  J.  G.  Parkhurst,  Gen.  C.  H.  Grosvenor,  Gen.  H.  C.  Corbin,  Gen. 
S.  D.  Atkins,  Maj.  J.  M.  Farquhar,  Private  O.  A.  Somers,  and  the  officers 
of  the  society  ex  officio.  Membership,  500. 

The  society,  upon  invitation  of  the  president  of  the  Soci 
ety  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  fixed  the  time  and  place 
of  its  thirty-first  annual  reunion  coincident  with  the  cere 
monies  attending  the  dedication  of  the  monument  at  Wash 
ington  City  to  commemorate  the  military  services  of  Gen. 
WILLIAM  T.  SHERMAN. 

After  a  business  meeting  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  day,  on 


Reunions.  107 

the  evening'  of  Wednesday,  Octol>er  14,  public  exercises  were 
held  in  the  First  Congregational  Church  before  a  large  assem 
blage  of  meml>ers  of  the  society  and  an  immense  represent 
ative  audience  of  the  civil,  military,  and  naval  branches  of 
the  Government,  other  military  societies,  and  unofficial  life. 
The  auditorium  was  handsomely  decorated  with  national 
colors,  flags,  and  bunting,  and  conspicuously  a  portrait  of 
Maj.  Gen.  George  H.  Thomas,  former  commander.  The 
newly  elected  president,  Gen.  Henry  V.  Boynton,  presiding, 
announced  the  exercises  of  the  occasion  in  the  following  order: 

Overture — National  Airs Tobani. 

Orchestra,  \V.  A.  Haley,  Conductor. 
Bugle  call,  "The  Assembly," 

Bugler  John  I,.  Kddy,  Second  Cavalry. 

Prayer Rev.  S.  M.  Newman,  I).  I). 

Presentation    of    new    president   of    society,    by    Gen.    J.   G. 

Parkhurst. 
Remarks  by  Gen.   H.  V.   Boynton,  president  of  the  society. 

He  fervently  expressed  his  surprise,  and  at  the  same  time 
his  appreciation,  of  the  unexpected  honor  of  election  to  a 
place  which  had  been  filled  successively  by  men  of  renown  like 
Thomas,  Rosecranz,  Sheridan,  and  Stanley. 

Selection,  "  Kin^  Dodo" Luders. 

( )rchestra. 
Oration Gen.  Gates  P.  Thurston. 

He  recalled  the  dedication  of  a  monument  twenty-four  years 
before  in  this  city  to  Maj.  Gen.  George  H.  Thomas,  the  last 
commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  and  first  president 
of  the  society  bearing  its  name;  also  sixteen  years  before  another 
memorial  to  Comrade  James  A.  Garfield,  and  in  May,  1902,  the 
burial,  with  suitable  ceremonies,  of  Gen.  W.  S.  Rosecran/,  com 
mander  of  this  army,  at  Arlington,  and  gave  an  analytical  view 
of  "The  members  and  rosters  of  the  two  armies  in  the  civil 


io8  Reunions. 

war,"  with  a  view  to  the  correction  of  palpable  errors  in  the 
numbers  of  enlistments  and  to  show  the  magnitude  of  the  two 
armies,  Federal  and  Confederate,  in  the  great  conflict.  As  these 
figures  are  valuable  for  the  research  and  care  bestowed  upon 
them,  they  may  be  inserted  for  record.  The  official  report  of  the 
provost-marshal.-general,  he  said,  shows  the  combined  strength 
of  the  Federal  Armies,  deducting  absentees: 

July  i,  1861 183,  ooo 

January  I,  1862 527,  ooo 

January  i ,  1863 698,  ooo 

January  i,  1864 611,  ooo 

March  31,  1865 657,  ooo 

The  ' '  superintendent  of  special  registration  ' '  reported  to  the 
bureau  of  conscription  of  the  Confederate  war  department  for 
six  States  to  January  i,  1864,  566,456  soldiers.  The  remain 
ing  five  Confederate  States,  including  Tennessee  in  the  same 
proportion,  must  have  furnished  416,176  soldiers  of  the  total 
982,632.  The  enlistments  and  conscriptions  during  the  last 
fifteen  months  of  the  war  must  have  increased  this  to  1,100,000 
soldiers. 

Bass  solo,  "The  Recessional"  (rendered  during  Queen  Vic 
toria's  Jubilee) Kipling. 

By  J.  Walter  Humphrey. 

Conret  solo,  ' '  Violets  " Wright. 

Reading,  "The  Advance  Guard"   (written  in  the  7o's  for  a 
reunion  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  by  John  Hay,  Secretary 

of  State) 

Maj.  John  Tweedale. 

March,  "Stars  and  Stripes  Forever " Sousa. 

Orchestra. 

Bugle  call,  "The  General's  March " 

Remarks Lieut.  Gen.  S.  B.  M.  Young. 

(Not  present.) 

Bugle  call,  ' '  To  the  Standard  " 

Remarks Lieut.  Gen.  John  M.  Schofield. 


Reunions.  109 

The  General  said  that  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  and  the  Cum 
berland  had  served  together  more  than  any  other  two  great 
armies  of  the  civil  war  in  the  campaign  from  Chattanooga  to 
Atlanta,  and  then  at  Franklin  and  Nashville,  in  which  one 
corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  was  also  engaged  in  giving 
to  the  Rebellion  its  death  blow  in  that  part  of  the  country. 

Bugle  call,  "Reveille." 

Remarks Maj.  Gen.  John  R.  Brooke. 

Having  come  from  the  reunion  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
in  progress  at  the  same  time,  he  delightfully  entertained  the 
large  audience  with  a  retrospect  of  his  experiences  during  the 
early  events  of  the  war,  particularly  referring  to  Gettysburg 
and  Yicksburg,  which  made  the  country  feel  on  July  4,  1863, 
as  if  the  country  were  ''one  and  indivisible,"  which  "to-day 
we  feel  is  the  greatest  nation  in  the  world." 

Bugle  call,  "Tattoo." 

Remarks Maj.  Gen.  Henry  C.  Corhin. 

The  sentiment  of  his  eloquent  remarks  was  no  class  of  people 
have  greater  influence  for  good  than  the  surviving  soldiers  of 
the  civil  war — being  true  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Union  as  of 
those  of  the  Confederacy.  While  the  tatto  just  sounded  tells 
of  the  time  of  life,  it  should  not  mean  rest  so  much  as  the  time 
to  harvest  well  the  labors  of  our  lives  and  leaving  them  for  the 
guidance  of  those  about  us,  as  well  as  those  coming  after. 

While  in  England  he  had  been  presented  to  the  nobility  of 
the  mother  country.  It  is  now  a  pleasure  to  present  a  distin 
guished  English  soldier  to  the  nobility  of  America,  the  sur 
vivors  of  the  Armies  of  the  Union. 

Presenting  Sir  Ian  Hamilton,  lieutenant-general  of  the  Eng 
lish  army,  who  in  well-chosen  remarks  said,  "Tommy  Atkins" 
is  all  right.  His  heart  is  as  sound  as  a  bell  and  beats  in  warmest 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 8 


no  Reunions. 

sympathy  with  his  comrades  in  America.  Whoever  failed  in 
South  Africa,  "Tommy  Atkins"  did  not.  He  had  been  to 
Gettysburg  and  Antietam  and  had  seen  the  memorial  to  the 
heroic  dead.  It  is  the  greatest  privilege  to  be  here  to  speak  of 
those  among  the  living.  The  few  days  I  have  to  spend  in 
America — all  too  few — I  must  spend  some  of  them  at  Chatta 
nooga  and  Chickamauga,  where  I  shall  see  with  my  own  eyes 
the  scene  at  least  of  some  of  the  exploits  of  this  veteran  assem 
blage. 

Bugle  call,  "The  Charge." 

Remarks Maj.  Gen.  James  H.  Wilson. 

(Not  present.) 
Bugle  call,  "To  Arms." 

Remarks Maj.  Gen.  G.  M.  Dodge,  president  of 

the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  and  of  its  com 
mittee  and  commission  of  congress,  which  originated, 
prosecuted,  and  executed  the  memorial  to  be  unveiled. 

He  expressed  it  "  as  a  most  gracious  act  on  the  part  of  the 
Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  to  accept  the  invitation 
of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  to  hold  its  annual 
reunion  "  so  as  to  participate  in  the  unveiling  of  the  monument 
to  ' '  your  once  commander  and  second  commander  of  the  Army 
of  the  Tennessee."  He  also  wished  to  extend  thanks  to  the 
societies  of  the  Armies  of  the  Potomac  and  of  the  Ohio  for  the 
consideration  which  they  had  given  to  this  commemorative 
event. 

The  veteran  general,  former  commander  of  the  famous  Six 
teenth  Corps,  the  nearest  man,  living  or  dead,  to  Grant  and 
Sherman,  and  confidant  of  Presidents,  was  eloquently  remi 
niscent.  Having  been  halted  on  the  Nashville  and  Decatur 
Railroad  without  rations  and  orders  to  rebuild  it,  SHERMAN 
replied,  "  The  quicker  you  build  the  railroad  to  Nashville  the 
quicker  you  will  get  something  to  eat."  General  Thomas, 
commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  gave  orders  ' '  to 


Reunions.  1 1 1 

give  us  a  free  hand  and  wide  sweep. ' '  He  repaid  the  kindness 
by  sending  to  him  from  his  then  Department  of  Missouri  two 
divisions  to  assist  in  his  great  victories  around  Nashville. 

Bugle  call,  "  H<x>ts  and  Saddles." 

Remarks Hon.  David  H.  Henderson. 

The  ex-Speaker  in  his  happiest  mood  kept  the  vast  audience 
in  roars  of  laughter  and  rounds  of  applause.  "A  lady,"  he 
said,  "  in  whom  I  have  implicit  confidence  and  to  whom  my 
love  is  eternally  pledged  said  to  me  as  I  was  packing  my  bag 
to  go  to  a  reunion  of  comrades,  '  David,  what  in  the  world  do 
you  fellows  have  to  talk  alxnit  at  your  army  meetings?  I 
should  think  you  would  run  out!'  'My  dear,  we  don't  go 
to  talk;  we  just  go  there  to  meet  together  and  \.o/tr/.'  '  I  feel. 
You  have  got  to  be  through  the  fires  of  war  to  understand  my 
simple  answer.  We  went  there  to  look  into  each  other's  eyes, 
to  sing  the  old  songs,  and  to  count  the  vacant  chairs."  The 
great  audience  would  not  hearken  to  the  five-minute  rule, 
insisting  upon  more,  which  the  General  continued  in  the  same 
breezy  vein.  Turning,  he  shouted,  "By  Jove,  here's  old 
Grosvenor,  too.  We  ought  to  adjourn  for  a  love  feast  and  take 
the  girls  in,  too,"  retiring  amid  a  tempest  of  laughter  and 
shouts,  "Go  on!  " 

Bugle  call,  "Rally." 

Remarks Hon.  James  Rudolph  (iarfield. 

Regretted  that  he  could  not  t)e  called  a  comrade  of  the  asso- 
cjation,  but  had  known  it  from  boyhood  by  "the  names  of  its 
leaders,  its  battles,  and  from  following  its  line  of  march."  "If 
we  carry  out  the  ideas  you  taught  us,  we  can  bring  understand 
ing  and  harmony  out  of  existing  industrial  conditions  to-day, 
as  you  brought  them  out  of  the  political  condition  of  '61 
to  '65." 

Bugle  call. 

Remarks.  .  Maj.  Gen.  O.  O.  Howard. 


ii2  Reunions. 

Presented  an  interesting  review  of  his  introduction  to  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland  when  he  landed  at  Brown's  farm,  on 
the  Tennessee  River,  near  Chattanooga,  and  of  events  at  Look 
out  Mountain  and  associations  after.  He  paid  a  handsome 
tribute  to  General  Thomas,  its  commander,  who  was  his  ideal 
of  a  soldier,  particularly  for  his  championship  of  paternalism 
rather  than  of  martinetism  in  military  methods. 

Bugle  call,  "The  Charge." 

Remarks Admiral  W.  S.  Schley. 

"  The  sense  of  loyal  duty,"  he  said,  "  which  inspired  devotion 
to  the  country  in  its  imperiled  moments  from  '61  to  '65  should 
inspire  all  young  men  and  women  as  worthy  of  imitation."  The 
statue  to  be  unveiled  to  the  great  chieftain,  if  it  means  any  one 
thing  more  than  another,  it  means  the  consecration  of  a  life  to 
that  sense  of  duty  which  knew  no  fear  of  death,  a  life  that  is 
all  the  more  dear  from  the  fact  that  it  typifies  a  standard  of 
worth  that  is  emphasized  in  the  splendid  career  which  his  com 
rades  and  countrymen  have  determined  to  perpetuate  in  im 
perishable  bronze,  that  it  may  remain  with  us  always." 

"America,"  by  the  entire  audience,  with  organ  accompani 
ment  by  Dr.  J.  W.  Bischoff,  followed  by  "Auld  Lang 
Syne." 

Taps Bugler,  U.S.  Army. 

March,  "American  Beauty  " Haley. 

Orchestra. 

(Bugle  calls  by  John  L,.  Eddy,  Troop  H,  Second  Cavalry,  U.  S.  A.) 
Reception  committee. — Gen.  G.  C.   Kniffin,   chairman;  Gen.  Joseph  C. 
Breckinridge,  Gen.  Frank  G.  Smith,  Gen.  E.  A.  Carman,  Col.  Green  Clay 
Goodloe,  Maj.  John  Tweedale,  Maj.  John  M.  Carson,  Capt.  L.  M.  Kelley. 

THE    SOCIETY    OF    THE    ARMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 

The  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  the  largest  of  these 
reminiscent  organizations,  had  arranged  for  its  annual  reunion 
for  1903  at  Boston,  but  at  the  invitation  of  General  Dodge  the 


Reunions.  113 

Boston  meeting  adjourned  to  assemble  at  Washington  and  par 
ticipate  in  the  ceremonies  of  the  Sherman  statue  unveiling. 
This  great  society  first  met  in  February,  but  organixecl  in  July, 
1869,  at  New  York  City,  Maj.  Gen.  O.  B.  McClellan  presiding. 
Gen.  P.  H.  Sheridan  was  chosen  first  president.  Its  officers 
for  1903  are: 

/^resident. — Gen.  John  R.  Brooke. 

I'ice-ft'esideHts.—Gen.  H.  S.  •Huidekoper,  Maj.  A.  C.  Richardson,  Gen, 
George  E.  Randolph,  Gen.  George  I).  Ruggles,  Col.  Ralph  K.  Prime,  Gen. 
Thos.  O.  Seaver,  Maj.  John  Byrne,  Gen.  Howard  L.  Porter,  Gen.  Orland 
Smith,  Maj.  C.  A.  Hopkins,  Col.  George  M.  Lane,  Gen.  Nicholas  \V.  Day, 
Maj.  Charles  G.  Davis,  Gen.  Alexander  S.  Webb,  Col.  Samuel  T.  Cushing. 

Treasurer. — Lieut.  Frank  S.  Halliday. 

Recording  Secretary. — Brevet  Col.  Horatio  C.  King. 

Corresponding  Secretary. — Col.  William  L.  Fox. 

On  its  rolls  are  the  names  of  Grant,  who  was  once  president 
of  the  society;  Sickles,  Hancock,  Newton,  Slocum,  Howard, 
Parke,  Pleasanton,  Humphrey,  Burnside,  Meade,  McClellan, 
Hooker,  McDowell,  Hartranft,  Franklin,  Butterfield,  Miles, 
Gibbon,  Sewell. 

The  society  was  interested  in  the  erection  of  the  statue  to 
Hancock,  and  has  contributed  to  the  statue  to  McClellan 
ordered  by  Congress,  also  for  Washington. 

On  Wednesday  evening,  October  14,  the  society  held  a  "camp 
fire"  at  the  Metropolitan  (M.  E.  )  Church.  The  interior  was 
beautifully  decorated  with  national  colors,  and  the  badges  of 
the  corps  which  constituted  the  fighting  strength  of  this  one  of 
the  four  great  armies  of  the  civil  war. 

The  representation  of  the  2,000  memt>ership  was  large  and 
distinguished,  and  with  the  attendance  of  other  societies  and 
friends  the  auditorium  was  filled  to  overflowing  and  the  enthu 
siasm  great. 

A  trumpeter  of  Troop  E,  Second  IT.  S.  Cavalry,  opened  the 
proceedings  with  the  reveille  call.  The  chairman,  J.  I). 


ii4  Reunions. 

Croissant,  made  the  announcements.  Former  United  States 
Senator  John  M.  Thurston,  orator  of  the  evening,  paid  eloquent 
testimony  to  the  services  of  General  SHERMAN: 

SHERMAN,  the  man  whom  we  are  to  honor  to-morrow,  was  one  of  the 
greatest  soldiers  of  modern  times.  He  was  not  alone  a  great  soldier,  he 
was  a  great  citizen  and  would  have  made  a  conspicuous  mark  in  any 
field  to  which  he  might  have  been  called.  When  you  sit  in  that  stand 
to-morrow  and  see  the  serried  ranks  pass  before  you  in  review,  when  you 
see  the  flags  dipped  in  the  presence  of  that  statue  of  the  man  who  led 
you  to  magnificent  victory,  you  may  know  that  there  is  not  a  heart  there 
that  will  not  be  throbbing  in  unison  with  yours  at  the  sight  of  that  figure, 
wrought  in  imperishable  bronze,  of  one  of  the  mightiest  men  in  the  history 
of  American  achievement. 

The  oration  framed  in  sentiment  and  words  a  telling  tribute 
to  SHERMAN  and  his  military  career,  the  heroes  who  served 
under  him,  and  the  glory  of  the  Union  which  he  aided  so 
forcefully  to  restore  to  peace  and  harmony. 

Hon.  William  E.  Andrews  spoke  upon  the  conduct  of  the 
soldiers  of  the  civil  war  and  of  the  lessons  taught  to  their 
countrymen  by  their  deeds  of  sacrifice  and  courage. 

Major  Viele  extolled  the  men  of  both  armies  for  the  stead 
fast  American  courage  that  called  them  forth  to  fight  for  the 
cause  the}'  each  held  sacred.  ' '  The  charge  of  the  First  Minne 
sota  at  Gettysburg,"  he  said,  "  was  more  heroic  than  that  of 
the  famous  Light  Brigade  at  Balaklava.  Because  of  the  bravery 
of  the  soldiers  of  that  day,  the  country  in  this  day  is  the  most 
potent  influence  oil  the  face  of  the  earth." 

Gen.  G.  W.  Baird  aroused  a  wild  spirit  of  martial  eclat 
reading  his  original  poem,  "Sixty-one."  Mrs.  John  A.  Logan 
added  to  the  pathos  of  the  occasion  by  recounting  many  inci 
dents  relating  to  the  military  deeds  of  her  famous  husband.  As 
many  of  his  old  soldiers  were  present,  their  enthusiasm  was 
unbounded.  Speeches  were  also  made  by  Gen.  Horatio  King, 
of  New  York;  Gen.  T.  J.  Henderson,  of  Illinois,  and  General 
Howard,  relating  personal  experiences  in  the  great  conflict. 


Reunions.  115 

Music  was  interspersed  throughout  the  evening  by  the 
organist  and  the  Burnside  Glee  Club,  and  at  times  the  clear 
notes  of  the  trumpet  sounded  various  military  calls.  The 
concluding  number,  "America."  was  sung  by  the  entire 
assemblage,  and  the  evening  closed  appropriately  with  the  call 
of  ' '  Taps ' '  on  the  bugle. 

The  veterans  lingered  in  the  aisles  after  1 1  o'clock,  discussing 
with  their  comrades  the  times  of  forty  years  ago,  when  they 
were  campaigning  with  Grant  in  the  Wilderness. 

THE    SOCIETY    OF    THE    ARMY    OF    THE    OHIO. 

The  organization  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  took 
place  in  the  sixties,  soon  after  the  close  of  the  civil  war,  by 
the  election  of  Gen.  John  M.  Schofield  president,  which  office 
he  has  held  ever  since.  On  its  roll  of  membership  appear 
the  names  of  the  late  President  (Major)  McKinley;  Gen.  J.  D. 
Cox,  Secretary  of  the  Interior  in  the  Grant  Cabinet;  Gen. 
A.  H.  Terry,  Gen.  Thomas  J.  Henderson,  speaker  for  the 
society  at  the  ceremonies;  General  Curtis,  hero  of  Fort  Fisher; 
Stoneman,  the  cavalry  leader,  and  Gen.  Stanley  L.  Hartsuff. 

The  following  are  the  officers  for  1903: 

President. — Lieut.  Gen.  John  M.  Schofield. 

First  I'ice-President. — Gen.  Thomas  J.  Henderson. 

Vice-President  for  the  District  of  Columbia. — Capt.  George  Red  way. 

Treasurer. — Maj.  J.  F.  Stewart. 

Secretary  and  Historian. — J.  Praise  Richards. 

E.vecittive  Committee. — Capt.  A.  F.  McMillan,  chairman;  Capt.  J.  L. 
Thornton,  Col.  John  A.  Joyce,  Capt.  Gideon  Lyon,  Capt.  R.  A.  Ragan, 
N.  N.  McCullough,  and  T.  M.  Tallmadge. 

On  Wednesday  evening,  October  14,  all  the  societies  united 
in  a  call  on  Lieutenant-General  Schofield,  the  reception  being 
given  under  the  auspices  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the 
Ohio. 


n6  Reunions, 

A  brief  programme  of  music,  recitations,  and  speeches  occu 
pied  the  time  until  the  arrival  of  the  guests.  The  outpouring 
of  veterans  and  friends  and  their  ladies  from  all  the  societies, 
who  arrived  escorted  by  the  band  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers, 
U.  S.  Army,  was  very  large.  The  veteran  general  was  much 
touched  by  the  warmth  of  the  occasion. 

LOCAL    HOSPITALITY. 

The  local  committee  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  rising  to  the  occasion,  by  invitation,  embossed  at  the 
top  in  colors  and  gold,  with  crossed  cannon  and  pendant,  a 
shield  with  a  star  and  crescent  bearing  "A.  P.,"  surrounded  by 
bannerets  with  the  emblems  of  the  six  corps  of  thdt  army, 
requested  — 

the  presence  of  yourself  and  lady  at  a  reception  to  be  given  in  honor  of 
the  Societies  of  the  Armies  of  the  Tennessee,  the  Cumberland,  the  Ohio, 
and  the  Potomac,  at  Rauscher's,  Thursday  evening,  October  the  fifteenth, 
from  half-past  eight  to  eleven  o'clock.  Nelson  A.  Miles,  Lieut.  Gen., 
U.  S.  A.,  chairman.  Llewellyn  G.  Estes,  Brevet  Brigadier-General, 
U.  S.  V.,  secretary. 

Each  member  of  the  different  army  societies  wore  a  white 
enamel  badge,  bearing  a  likeness  of  General  SHERMAN  in  the 
uniform  of  his  general's  rank,  and  a  ribbon  inscribed: 

37th  Reunion 

Society  of  the  Army 

of  the  Potomac 

Washington, 

October  15-16,  1903, 

The  Dedication  of 

The  Statue  to 

TECUMSEH  SHERMAN. 


The  hall  was  elaborately  decorated  with  flags,  flowers,  and 
foliage  in  national  design.  The  portraits  of  six  Presidents  — 
Lincoln,  Grant,  Qarfield,  Hayes,  Harrison,  and  McKinley  — 
adorned  three  walls,  while  on  the  south  was  a  large  picture  of 


Reunions.  1 1 7 

General  SHERMAN,  draped  with  flags  and  bunting  and  banked 
with  flowers.  Three  United  States  bands — the  Marine  Band 
Orchestra,  and  engineer  and  cavalry  military  bands — discoursed 
suitable  music. 

The  visitors  were  met  at  the  door  by  a  committee  under  the 
chairmanship  of  Col.  Robert  G.  Rutherford,  U.  S.  Army,  who 
extended  a  hearty  welcome  in  the  name  of  the  Sociely  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  Arriving  at  the  head  of  the  stairs,  a 
floor  committee,  of  which  Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  Van  Hartness 
Bukey,  U.  S.  Volunteers,  was  the  chairman,  ushered  the  guests 
into  the  reception  rooms. 

General  Sickles  occupied  a  seat  and  united  in  the  greetings 
to  the  guests.  The  affair  was  representative  of  the  civil,  mili 
tary,  and  naval  services  and  unofficial  social  life  at  the  capital. 
A  noticeable  feature  was  the  large  presence  of  the  older  men  in 
the  various  official  and  unofficial  walks  of  Washington  life. 
Owing  to  the  immense  throng  and  to  avoid  crowding,  the 
visitors  were  courteously  shown  along  a  second  passageway  by 
a  committee,  Maj.  Frank  A.  Butts,  chairman,  from  which  they 
departed. 

.      THE    AZTEC    SOCIETY    OF    1847. 

The  festivities  opened  with  a  grand  flourish  of  valor  of 
former  days  at  the  banquet  of  the  Aztec  Society  on  the  night 
of  Monday,  October  13.  This  society,  originally  composed  of 
officers  of  the  United  States  Army  who  served  in  the  war  with 
Mexico,  was  instituted  in  the  City  of  Mexico  in  1847,  and  has 
been  continued  "with  a  view  to  cherish  the  memories  and  keep 
alive  the  traditions  that  cluster  about  the  names  of  those 
officers  who  took  part  in  the  Mexican  war." 

The  toasts  responded  to  were: 

"The  President  of  the  United  States,"  by  General  Randolph. 

"The  Aztec  Club  of  1847,"  by  General  Gil>son. 


n8  Reunions. 

"The  Army  of  the  United  States  in  Mexico  and  Elsewhere." 
by  General  Randolph. 

"The  Navy  of  the  United  States  in  Mexico  and  Elsewhere," 
by  Admiral  Winfield  Scott  Schley. 

"The  Marine  Corps  of  the  United  States,"  by  General 
Elliot,  commandant  of  the  Marine  Corps. 

"Gen.  Winfield  Scott;  In  Hoc  Signo  Vinces,"  by  General 
Wright. 

"Gen.  Zachary  Taylor,"  by  General  French,  formerly  lieu 
tenant-general,  Confederate  Army. 

"Admiral  David  G.  Farragut,"  by  Admiral  Casey. 

"The  War  with  Mexico,"  by  Governor  Gorham,  of  Cali 
fornia. 

"The  Drums  of  the  Army  of  Mexico,"  by  Gen.  R.  C.  Drum, 
of  Bethesda,  Md. 

"The  Kearnys  of  the  Army  of  Mexico,"  by  Gen.  John  W. 
Kearny. 

' '  The  Soldiers  of  Mexico, ' '  by  Judge  Lander. 

"  Chaplain  John  McCarthy,"  by  the  Rev.  W.  T.  Snyder. 

"The  Press,"  by  Maj.  John  M.  Carson,  dean  of  the  Wash 
ington  Press  Gallery. 

Among  those  present,  in  addition  to  the  speakers,  were : 
Dr.  John  W.  Brannan,  Dr.  William  M.  Polk,  Col.  George  A. 
Porterfield,  Gen.  Robert  Murray,  Hon.  J.  J.  Martin,  Maj. 
John  Biddle  Porter,  Hon.  Francis  E.  Shober,  Gen.  Francis  E. 
Pinto,  Commodore  W.  H.  Shock,  U.  S.  Navy;  Admiral  J.  C. 
Watson,  U.  S.  Navy;  Capt.  J.  F.  Reynolds  Landis,  Messrs. 
Macrae  SyKes,  Francis  E.  Laimbeer,  William  Stone  Abert, 
J.  Kennedy  Stour,  De  Courcey  W.  Thorn,  Frederick  May, 
A.  H.  Taylor,  Lyall  Farragut,  Charles  Porterfield,  J.  Malcolm 
Henry,  P.  Tecumseh  Sherman,  E.  Willoughby  Anderson, 


Reunions.  119 

Rol>erdeau    Buchanan,    Barry    MacNutt.    Andrew    I).    Wilcox, 
'and  William  M.  Sweeny. 

The  Medal  of  Honor  Legion  was  also  largely  represented. 

A    HRII.I.IANT    KNDING    OF    A    Sl'I'ERB    BEGIXNTIN(i. 

The  closing  function  in  connection  with  the  unveiling  of  the 
statue  of  General  SHERMAN  was  fittingly  celebrated  in  a  joint 
banquet  on  the  night  of  the  i6th. 

It  was  properly  the  most  brilliant  of  the  militar-social  events 
of  the  SHERMAN  fete  week.  It  was  the  first  time  since  the 
close  of  the  civil  war  when  the  societies  of  the  four  grand  armies 
had  met  together  to  do  honor  to  the  memory  of  one  of  their 
great  chieftains.  It  was  therefore  representative  in  every  sense, 
as  most  of  the  great  living  soldiers  who  participated  in  that  war 
were  present.  It  was  in  every  respect  impressive  and  memo 
rable. 

The  guests  were  confined  chiefly  to  the  meml>ers  of  the  socie 
ties  and  their  ladies — in  all,  about  five  hundred — there  1>eing  no 
building  large  enough  to  accommodate  more.  The  invitations 
were  arranged  in  souvenir  form.  The  decorations  were  superb. 
The  walls  of  the  banquet  halls  were  lavishly  draped  with 
national  colors.  In  the  four  corners  and  on  the  mantels, 
reflected  by  large  mirrors,  were  great  banks  of  ferns  and  palms. 
The  national  flags  were  united  by  festoons  of  laurel,  galax,  and 
oak  leaves,  to  which  were  added  flowers  of  every  form  and  line. 

The  master  stroke  of  floral  strategy  was  the  four  great 
shields,  each  bearing  the  insignia  of  the  society  of  the  army  rep 
resented,  flanked  by  the  standards  and  badges  of  its  constituent 
corps  d'armee. 

The  symphony  of  the  scene  was  made  additionally  pleasing 
bv  the  soft  strains  of  music  from  an  embowered  orchestra. 


1 20  Reunions. 

In  the  spacious  suite  of  banquet  halls  covers  were  laid  for  the 
small  army  of  guests. 

The  tables  were  bounteously  decorated,  the  American  Beauty 
rose  adding  bouquet  as  well  as  rich  harmony  of  color  to  the 
subdued  table  lights. 

The  following  menu  and  order  of  exercises  engaged  the 
attention  of  the  guests: 

(An  embossed  wreath 
upon  which  was  superimposed 
the  badges  of  the  four  armies. ) 

JOINT  BANQUET 

of  the  Societies  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee,  Army  of  the  Ohio, 

Army  of  the  Cumberland,  Army  of  the  Potomac, 

on  the  occasion  of  the  dedication  of  the  statue  of 
General  WILUAM  TECUMSEH  SHERMAN, 

October  i6th,  1903. 
The  Arlington,  Washington,  D.  C. 

MENU. 

Blue  Points 

Celery         Olives         Radishes         Salted  Almonds 

Chicken  Consomme"  in  Cups 

Filet  of  Sole,  Tartar  Sauce 

Cucumbers  Potatoes  Parisienne 

Lyonnaise  of  Sweatbreads,  Gratin 

Green  Peas 

Lalla  Rookh  Punch 

Philadelphia  Squabs,  Roasted 

Chiffonade  Salad 

Ice  Cream,  Neapolitaine 

Fancy  Cakes 

Coffee  . 

Sauterne  Pommery  Sec 

Claret  Apollinaris 


Reunions.  1 2 1 

ORDKR  OF  KXKRCISKS. 

Invocation Archbishop  John  Ireland. 

ADDRESSES. 

The  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 

Maj.  Gen.  John  R.  Hrooke,  U.  S.  Army. 

The  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland 

Bvt.  Col.  John  J.  McCook,  U.  S.  Volunteers. 

SHERMAN Mrs.  John  A.  Logan. 

The  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee Rev.  Thomas  E.  Sherman. 

The  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio 

Sergt.  Maj.  John  McHlroy,  T;.  S.  Volunteers. 

SONGS. 

1.  America. 

2.  Rattle  Hymn  of  the  Republic. 

3.  Columbia,  the  Gem  of  the  Ocean. 

4.  Marching  through  Georgia. 

5.  Star-Spangled  Hanner. 

6.  Tenting  on  the  Old  Camp  Ground. 

Lieut.  Gen.  J.  M.  Schofield  presiding. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  banquet  Lieut.  Gen.  John  M.  Scho 
field,  president  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  presid 
ing,  announced  the  order  of  exercises  ready  to  begin. 

These  were  prefaced  by  an  impressive  invocation  by  Arch 
bishop  John  Ireland,  of  St.  Paul,  former  chaplain  of  the  Fifth 
Minnesota  Volunteers  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 

GENERAL  BROOKE'S  ADDRESS. 

The  presiding  officer  then  announced  Maj.  Gen.  John  R. 
Brooke,  V.  S.  Army,  retired,  who,  speaking  in  l>ehalf  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  gave  a  thrilling  review  of  its  campaigns 
in  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  Pennsylvania,  culminating  at 
Gettysburg.  In  his  peroration  he  said: 

Since  then  we  have  seen  the  participants  in  that  great  war,  with  their 
sons  standing  side  by  side  with  us  and  our  own  sons,  wearing  the  same 


122  Reunions. 

uniform,  bearing  the  same  colors,  united  and  earnest  supporters  of  one 
country  and  one  flag — realizing  in  language  the  immortal  words  of  our 
greatest  captain,  "Let  us  have  peace,"  now  and  forever. 

COLONEL   M'COOK'S   ADDRESS. 

This  eloquent  introduction  was  followed  by  Col.  John  J. 
McCook,  representing  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  who  drew 
a  spirited  piece  of  word  painting  of  the  terrible  days  of  battle 
and  campaign,  none  greater  than  those  in  which  SHERMAN  was 
the  master  genius,  whose  deeds  would  continue  enshrined  in 
the  memory  of  his  countrymen  as  long  as  the  terrible  strug 
gles  of  the  civil  war  were  remembered.  Concluding,  "There 
are  hundreds  of  thousands  to-day  willing  to  give  their  lives  for 
the  protection  of  the  liberties  of  their  country  and  flag." 
'  The  glory  of  the  Republic  is  in  the  patriotism  of  her 
volunteer  soldiers. ' ' 

MRS.  LOGAN'S  ADDRESS. 

The  tribute  of  the  evening  to  the  personality  of  Gen. 
WILLIAM  TECUMSEH  SHERMAN  was  paid  by  Mrs.  John  A. 
lyOgan.  It  was  replete  \vith  fact  and  sentiment,  referring  to 
the  opposition  he  met  on  the  threshold  of  the  civil  war  by 
officers  and  politicians,  overruled  by  the  superior  judgment  of 
President  Lincoln.  She  referred  to  the  record  made  by  divi 
sions,  corps,  and  armies,  and  grand  divisions  successively  under 
SHERMAN'S  command.  She  gave  a  striking  picture  of  SHER 
MAN  and  his  veterans  in  the  last  grand  review  in  Washington 
in  the  spring  of  1865  past  the  very  spot  where  now  stands  his 
effigy  in  bronze,  and  of — 

their  battered  and  faded  flags,  worn,  ragged,  and  unkempt  uniforms,  tell 
ing  the  story  of  their  long  weary  marches  in  sunshine  and  storm,  over 
rugged  mountains,  through  dismal  swamps,  over  roughest  roads  and  burn 
ing  sands  in  defense  of  their  country. 


Reunions.  123 

REVKREND    SHKRMAX'S    ADDRESS. 

The  next  speaker,  Rev.  Thomas  K.  Sherman,  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church,  son  of  our  hero,  was  greeted  with  tumultuous 
applause,  waving  of  handkerchiefs,  and  other  outbursts  of 
repressed  awaiting. 

In  the  course  of  his  remarks  he  said: 

You  fought  for  one  cause,  under  one  flag,  in  the  one  war.  [This  was 
greeted  with  dramatic  acclaim,  "and  under  one  SHERMAN!  One  SHER 
MAN!!  One  SHERMAN!!!  "  shouted  a  chorus  of  trembling  voices  of  fast 
aging  battle-scarred  veterans.]  Yes,  he  loved  you  all,  the  private  as  well 
as  the  officer,  liecause  you  always  were  an  honor  to  the  flag  for  which  you 
fought.  But  there  is  a  greater  triumph  for  you  than  your  conquests  in 
battles,  and  that  is  the  absolute  triumph  of  the  principles  you  battled  to 
maintain.  To-day  this  country  is  one,  because  you  have  so  welded  and 
united  us  that  we  are  in  perfect  accord  with  your  principles  everywhere 
*  *  *  and  to-night  as  I  stand  here  after  your  elegant  tribute  to  my 
father  I  can  not  help  once  more  hoping  that  you  will  always  conquer  by 
the  strength  of  your  principles  as  you  did  in  the  war. 

The  entire  address  was  well  chosen  and  received  with  tumul 
tuous  applause,  in  the  midst  of  which  a  veteran  rose  shouting 
"  three  cheers  for  the  noble  son  of  a  noble  sire,"  which  met 
with  a  response  which  made  the  very  edifice  quake. 

MAJOR  M'EI.ROY'S  ADDRESS. 

Maj.  John  McKlroy  spoke  in  l>ehalf  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio, 
giving  a  retrospect  of  what  the  youngest  of  the  four  great 
armies  had  accomplished,  particularly  an  effective  sketch  of  its 
participation  in  the  battle  of  November  30,  1864,  when  the 
Army  of  the  Ohio  was  part  of  the  force  detailed  to  meet  Hood's 
army  of  Confederate  veterans. 

GENERA!.    HOWARD'S    REMARKS. 

At  the  close  of  the  regular  order  Major-General  Howard,  as 
former  commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  was  called 
upon  by  the  presiding  officer,  and  with  great  cheering.  He 


124  Reunions. 

paid  an  eloquent  tribute  to  that  wonderful  army  of  volunteers 
which  had  developed  into  heroes  the  native  genius  of  Grant, 
SHERMAN,  McPherson,  and  Logan. 

GRAND    ARMY    OF    THE    REPUBLIC. 
GENERAL  BLACK'S  REMARKS. 

Gen.  John  C.  Black,  at  the  request  of  the  presiding  officer, 
spoke  for  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  said  that  great 
body  of  former  volunteer  soldiers  perpetuates  in  peace  the 
memories  of  the  war,  and  keeps  green  the  deeds  of  officers  and 
men  in  the  world's  greatest  struggle  for  the  perpetuation  of 
national  existence. 

"MY  COUNTRY  'TIS  OK  THEE." 

As  the  grand  volume  of  voices,  united  in  the  pathetic  chords 
of  the  national  hymn,  died  away,  so  ended  the  great  reunion 
of  the  four  societies  of  the  Grand  Armies  under  aegis  of  the 
Union  reunited. 


SHERMAN:  A  MEMORIAL  SKI 


:>h!V    KAN-D.  .1.1-11    K 


iv  v(cticrat!'  in 


H«i    H3KMOMT    I/AIJJl'W   .0*0 
.vnnA   f<  ."J  -;HJ  "t->  finnrnmoa  nl 


Gen.  WILLIAM   TECUMSEH    SHERMAN 
In  command  of  the  U.  S.  Army. 


SHERMAN:  A  MEMORIAL  SKETCH." 


By  DxB.  RANDOLPH  KKIM,  Civil  ll'ar  Correspondent. 


To  very  few  in  any  generation  is  it  given  to  render  such  services  as 
he  rendered;  hut  each  of  us  in  his  degree  can  try  to  show  something 
of  those  qualities  of  character  upon  which,  in  their  sum,  the  high 
worth  of  SHKKMAN  rested  —  his  courage,  his  kindness,  his  clean  and 
simple  living,  his  sturdy  good  sense,  his  manliness  and  tenderness  in 
the  intimate  relations  of  life,  and  finally,  his  inflexible  rectitude  of 
soul  and  his  loyalty  to  all  that  in  this  free  republic  is  hallowed  and 
symlx>lized  by  the  national  flag.  (THEODORK  RooSKVKi.T  —  The 
President"  s  address  at  the  opening  of  the  dedicatory  ceremonies  of 
Octobet  75, 


The  great  wars  of  history  have  produced  few  heroes  of  dis 
tinctive  fame.  Of  those  who  have  survived  the  casualties 
of  centuries,  some  won  greatness  and  others  notable  mention 
commensurate  with  the  scope  of  their  achievements.  The 
judgment  of  historians  concurs  in  naming  Alexander,  the 
Macedonian;  Hannibal,  the  Carthagenian;  Caesar,  the  Roman; 
Frederick,  the  Prussian,  and  Napoleon,  the  Frank,  the  five 
greatest  military  chieftains  of  ancient  and  modern  times.  To 

'i  In  the  preparation  of  this  memorial  sketch,  in  addition  to  a  personal  acquaintance 
with  its  hero  in  the  field,  l>eginning  with  the  tattle  of  Corinth  and  the  land  campaign 
against  Vicksburg.  and  lasting  through  life,  the  "column  of  direction"  is  "The 
memoirs  of  Gen.  WILLIAM  T.  SHERMAN,  written  by  himself;"  and  the  right  and  left 
wings  of  information,  official  reports  and  military  orders  of  Gen.  WILLIAM  T.  SHER 
MAN,  1861-1865,  and  Congressional  report  on  the  conduct  of  the  war,  the  battle  of  Shiloh, 
etc..  by  the  Shiloh  commission,  with  a  few  infantry  sallies  from  "Personal  recollec 
tions"  and  "Transcontinental  railways,"  by  Maj.  Gen.  G.  M.  Dodge;  "  Lives."  etc., 
and  cavalry  dashes  from  sketchists  and  magazine  contributors. 

(•25) 
S.  Doc.  320,  5&-2  -  9 


126  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

this  list  the  chronicles  of  the  world's  great  events  of  the 
nineteenth  century  shall  add  Grant  and  SHERMAN,  the  Ameri 
cans.  The  concerted  movements  of  the  latter  were  so  intri 
cately  interwoven  with  the  remarkable  triumphs  of  the  former 
that  it  is  difficult  to  disassociate  them  without  marring  the 
whole.  Had  there  been  no  Grant,  SHERMAN  would  have 
stood  alone,  measured  by  expert  military  testimony  and  public 
opinion. 

There  is  no  purpose  here  to  drawr  the  parallel.  SHERMAN, 
in  the  extent  of  his  marches  and  character  of  his  battles, 
resembled  Alexander.  In  the  versatility  of  his  characteristics 
he  displayed  a  striking  similarity  to  Caesar. 

The  family  of  Sherman  from  which  the  subject  of  this 
memorial  sprang  belonged  to  the  best  type  of  the  Anglo-Saxon 
strain  in  the  composite  race  of  the  Republic  of  the  United 
States  of  America. 

ANCESTRAL    SCENES    IN    OLD    ENGLAND. 

A  voyager  approaching  the  western  shore  of  the  German  Sea 
between  the  mouth  of  the  Stour,  at  Harwich,  and  of  the  Thames, 
at  Shoeburyness,  rests  his  vision  upon  one  of  the  most  pictur 
esque  regions  in  all  England.  Its  antiquity,  too,  lies  beyond 
the  confines  of  history.  Within  recorded  time  it  held  great 
Caesar's  legionary  outpost  of  Trinobantes.  It  was  part  of  the 
Saxon  Kingdom,  the  battle  ground  of  Alfred  the  Great  against 
the  Danes,  the  scene  of  the  operations  of  the  Normans,  and  in 
modern  times  known  under  the  political  subdivisional  name  of 
the  county  of  Essex. 

On  the  northeast  border  of  this  beautiful  stretch  of  country, 
on  the  south  bank  of  the  Stour,  a  few  miles  inside  its  mouth,  at 
the  time  of  which  we  speak  lay  the  village  of  Dedham,  in  the 
parish  of  that  name,  in  the  Colchester  division  of  the  Hundred 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  127 

of  Lexden,  59  miles  northeast  of  London   and  7   miles  in   the 
same  direction  from  Colchester  on  the  road  to  Norwich. 

That  the  Shermans  were  among  its  substantial  people  in  the 
tradesman  class  is  assured  by  record  of  1610: 

Edmund  Sherman,  of  this  town,  clothier  (possibly  father  or  relative  of 
the  emigrant),  gave  a  schoolhouse  opposite  the  church  to  t>e  a  dwelling 
house  for  a  writing  master,  and  a  num1>er  of  children  are  instructed  in  this 
charity. 

The  clothing  industry  must  have  been  the  thing,  for  a 
chronicle  of  the  time  of  King  Richard  II  mentions  the  town  as 
famous  for  its  trade  in  that  line. 

It  would  seem  from  the  subsequent  history  of  the  place  when 
Samuel  Sherman,"  the  Reverend  John,  his  brother,  a  Cam 
bridge  graduate,  and  Captain  John,  his  cousin,  sailed  out  of  the 
Stour  for  America,  they  left  an  "aching  void"  which  years 
increased  xintil  that  mart  of  the  clothing  trade  almost  ceased  to 
have  sufficient  importance  for  a  place  on  the  maps  of  the  twen 
tieth  century. 

FAMILY    ANTECEDENTS    IN    NEW    ENGLAND. 

When  the  three  Sherman  kinsmen  landed  on  the  shores  of 
North  America,  but  fourteen  years  after  the  Plymouth  pilgrim 
pioneers,  Samuel,  who  is  mentioned  first,  was  but  19  years  of 
age,  two  years  younger  than  his  brother,  the  Reverend  John. 
The  age  of  Captain  John,  the  cousin,  is  not  known,  but  it  is  not 
improbable  about  the  same,  therefore  between  19  and  21  — 
splendid  years  for  a  share  in  laying  the  foundation  of  a  great 
nation  in  a  howling  wilderness. 

Samuel,  with  whom  we  have  to  do,  upon  landing,  married 
Sarah  Mitchell,  who  arrived  on  the  same  ship,  and  settled  at 


«An  arminerous  name  of  Sherman,  of  London  and  Devonshire,  descended  from  the 
Shermans  of  Yoxley.  County  Suffolk,  is  given  l>y  Cothren  as  1»-1<  inui  UK  to  the  Shermans 
of  Lexden.  Kssex.  England,  and  by  the  immigrants  named  transplanted  to  Stratford, 
Conn.,  and  Watertown,  Mass..  in  America. 


128  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

Stratford,  Conn.  The  other  two  took  root  at  Watertown, 
Mass.,  where  the  Reverend  John  preached  his  first  sermon 
under  a  tree  very  soon  after  arrival. 

There  should  be  no  difficulty  in  accounting  for  the  remarkable 
manifestations  of  the  parent  stock  or  descending  generations  of 
this  particular  family  in  America.  Their  martial  spirit  sprang 
from  the  exposure  of  their  ancestral  land  to  incessant  forays 
from  Romans,  Saxons,  Danes,  and  Normans  during  a  period 
of  eleven  centuries.  In  trade  they  were  associated  with  one 
of  the  oldest  and  foremost  guilds  of  their  motherland;  in 
religion,  by  instinct  and  practice  Puritans  apparently  of  the 
advanced  type — for  early  in  the  seventeenth  century  an  inde 
pendent  congregation  had  been  created  in  Dedham  in  defiance 
of  the  combined  antagonism  of  state  and  church,  then  extreme. 

The  departure  of  the  three  Shermans  only  two  years  before 
this  event  might  give  credence  to  the  inference  that  their 
determination  was  due  as  much  to  restraint  of  conscience  and 
religion  as  a  desire  to  get  where  there  was  more  ' '  elbowroom  ' ' 
and  an  opportunity  to  grow  up  with  the  country. 

It  appears  from  contemporary  records  the  Shermans  were  in 
it  from  the  start.  A  church  fight  was  the  dominating  factor  in 
deciding  upon  what  particular  spot  of  New  World  earth  the 
founder,  Samuel,  should  plant  the  parent  tree. 

Even  surpassing  the  catching  of  a  band  of  red  savages  was 
the  management  of  a  white  congregation  in  those  days.  The 
Stratford  end  of  the  "doctrinal"  contest  seems  to  have  been 
the  hottest.  It  certainly  gave  Governor  Winthrop  the  time  of 
his  life.  The  implacable  intolerance  of  the  majority  forced 
Samuel  Sherman  and  his  friends  to  seek  permission  to  purchase 
land  for  a  new  town,  which  was  granted  (1667)  at  Pootakuke 
(Great  River).  Planting  began  the  following  year  at  Pomper- 
vaug,  named  after  that  famous  Sagamore. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  129 

In  the  spring  of  1671  an  advance  party  of  fifteen  persons  led 
by  John  Sherman,  son  of  Samuel,  pitched  their  tents  on  the 
opening  which  afterwards  became  known  as  Woodbury,  in  the 
colony  of  Connecticut.  It  is  recorded  that  the  ladies  of  the 
family  passed  their  first  night  in  the  hollow  of  a  walnut  tree. 

As  the  founder  of  the  race  which  gave  to  the  American  Re 
public  one  of  its  foremost  military  heroes,  it  is  interesting  to 
know  of  Samuel  Sherman  and  his  son  John  that  they  were  the 
head  and  front  of  the  new  settlement,  besides  the  name  of  the 
former  being  associated  with  Weathersfield,  Stamford,  and 
Stratford,  all  in  Connecticut,  where  he  died  before  1684.  He 
had  l>een  a  member  of  the  court  of  assistants,  or  upper  house 
of  the  general  court  and  supreme  judicial  tribunal,  1663-1669. 
From  this  fact  we  find  him  referred  to  officially  as  the  ' '  wor 
shipful  Mr.  Sherman."  After  the  founding  of  the  new  town 
he  became  one  of  the  commissioners  for  Stratford  and  Woodbury. 

He  left  two  sons,  Matthew  and  John,  to  continue  his  example 
as  a  man  and  usefulness  as  a  citizen. 

The  name  of  John  Sherman,  of  the  first  generation  born  in 
America  (February  i,  1650)  and  founder  of  Woodbury,  was  as 
sociated  with  the  town  and  colony  for  forty-four  years  (1684- 
1728) — as  justice  of  the  quorum,  or  associate  county  court;  for 
seventeen  sessions  as  representative  of  the  town;  twice  speaker 
of  the  lower  house;  town  clerk  twenty-five  years;  captain  of 
militia;  first  judge  of  probate  for  Woodbury,  from  its  organiza 
tion  in  1719  for  nine  years. 

HOME      BUILDING     IN     WESTERN     WILDS — BIRTH     OF     WILLIAM 
TECUMSEH    SHERMAN. 

Passing  over  a  century,  four  score  and  six  years  since  the 
landing  of  Samuel,  we  reach  the  birth,  on  February  8,  1820, 
of  WILLIAM  TECUMSEH  SHERMAN,  of  the  fifth  generation 


130  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

native  to  American  soil.  His  father,  Charles  R.  Sherman, 
of  Norwalk,  Conn.,  was  a  man  of  liberal  education  and 
licensed  to  the  practice  of  the  law.  His  mother,  Mary 
Hoyt,  also  of  Norwalk,  belonged  to  one  of  the  historic 
families.  Their  marriage  took  place  in  1810.  The  groom, 
full  of  the  ambition  of  youth,  leaving  his  bride,  journeyed  to 
the  then  Far  West,  where  his  father  had  important  official 
interests,  prospecting  for  an  opening.  This  he  found  at 
Lancaster,  Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  where  he  established 
himself  in  the  practice  of  the  law. 

The  westward  emigration  of  this  branch  of  the  Shermans 
was  influenced  if  not  due  to  the  territorial  claims  of  the 
State  of  Connecticut,  based  upon  the  Royal  grant  of  1631, 
to  a  strip  "west  to  the  Pacific  Ocean." 

Judge  Taylor  Sherman,  the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  named  one  of  the  State  commissioners  on 
the  part  of  Connecticut  to  quiet  the  Indian  title  and  super 
intend  the  survey  and  subdivision  of  the  lands.  On  this 
service  he  made  several  trips  to  the  region  in  litigation,  and 
for  his  labors  and  losses  received  title  to  two  sections  of  land. 

In  1811  the  young  attorney,  now  established  at  Lancaster, 
returned  to  his  former  home,  finding  a  son  born  during  his 
absence.  With  wife  and  child  on  horseback  he  toiled  back 
to  his  chosen  field  of  life's  activity,  and  laid  the  foundation 
of  a  career  and  a  family  which  became  eminent  in  the  prog 
ress  of  years. 

During  the  war  of  1812  the  Ohio  frontiers  were  exposed  to 
all  the  savagery  of  English  and  Indian  depredations.  It  was 
during  these  perilous  times  that  Charles  R.  Sherman,  as  com 
missary,  had  ample  opportunity  to  become  familiar  with  the 
courage  and  cunning  of  the  red  chieftain,  Tecumseh.  Although 
opposed  by  the  pacific  views  of  his  wife,  the  recurrence  of  boys 


:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  131 

in  the  family  circle  gave  the  father  an  opportunity  to  commend 
the  valor  of  the  brave  Shawnee  in  the  naming  of  his  third  son. 
The  early  Ixjrder  wars  produced  no  finer  character,  on  the 
standard  of  military  skill  of  the  red  man.  than  shown  in 
Tecumseh.  nor  did  the  civil  war  produce  a  finer  type  of  the 
martial  genius  of  the  white  man  than  WILLIAM  TKCUHSKH 
SHERMAN. 

DEATH'S   AWAKEXINC.  —  A    FOSTER    PATHER — BOYHOOD   AND 

YOUTH. 

The  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  appointed  a 
judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  Ohio  in  1X21,  and  eight  years 
after  died  from  lalx^r  and  exposure  incident  to  the  performance 
of  his  itinerant  duties.  The  departed  left  a  good  name,  Ixith 
in  public  affairs  and  the  privacy  of  home  and  society,  but  no 
fortune.  The  mother,  without  means  and  a  numerous  family, 
eleven  in  all,  of  necessity  had  to  suffer  the  bitter  pang  of  having 
the  elder  members  of  her  flock  taken  from  her  and  distributed 
among  relatives  and  friends. 

WILLIAM  TECI'MSEH,  9  years  of  age,  an  interesting,  active 
boy,  was  taken  by  Hon.  Thomas  Ewing,  then  a  Senator  of  the 
United  States  from  Ohio.  This  worthy  man  not  only  cared  for 
his  charge  in  his  temporal  wants,  but  placed  in  his  way,  as  for 
his  own  sons,  every  opportunity  of  winning  for  himself  a  name. 
How  he  availed  himself  of  the  advantages  afforded  him,  his 
benefactor  lived  long  enough  to  realize  and  applaud. 

The  Lancaster  Academy  furnished  the  educational  founda 
tion  of  the  career  of  the  general  of  future  years.  At  the  age  of 
14.  as  rodman  on  a  canal  survey,  for  which  he  received  a  silver 
half  dollar  a  day,  he  earned  his  first  money. 


132  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

ENTERS    WEST    POINT    AND    THE    ARMY. 
[1836-1840.] 

A  chance  to  advance  the  interests  of  his  charge  now  opened. 
Having  received  timely  notice  from  Senator  Ewing,  young 
SHERMAN  began  preparation  for  admission  to  the  United  States 
Military  Academy  and  received  the  appointment  in  the  spring 
of  1836.  After  four  days  and  nights  of  hard  coaching  he  was 
in  Washington,  where  he  passed  a  week  under  the  eye  of  his 
Senatorial  protector.  The  event  of  his  life  up  to  that  time  was 
one  morning  peering  through  the  rough  wooden  pailings  on 
Pennsylvania  avenue  at  President  Andrew  Jackson,  the  hero  of 
New  Orleans,  taking  his  "constitutional"  up  and  down  the 
gravel  walk  in  front  of  the  White  House. 

Parting  with  his  powerful  patron  and  pursuing  the  usual 
boat  and  rail  route  via  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  and  New  York, 
on  June  12  the  great  soldier  of  the  third  quarter  of  the 
nineteenth  century  registered  himself  in  the  office  of  the 
adjutant-general  of  the  United  States  Military  Academy  at 
West  Point  in  the  new  cadet  class  of  1836.  In  the  same  month 
four  years  after  he  graduated  sixth  in  a  class  of  43,  all  that 
remained  of  over  100  who  had  entered.  He  received  his 
diploma  and  soon  after  the  commission  of  second  lieutenant  in 
the  Third  U.  S.  Artillery  with  orders  to  report  at  Governors 
Island,  New  York  Harbor,  at  the  expiration  of  a  graduating 
furlough  which  he  passed  among  the  scenes  of  his  infancy, 
childhood,  and  youth  at  Lancaster  and  Mansfield,  in  Ohio. 

The  summing  up  of  Cadet  SHERMAN'S  academy  career  is  best 
told  by  himself  after  the  honors  of  the  world's  great  game  had 
been  nobly  won. 

At  the  Academy  I  was  not  considered  a  good  soldier,  for  at  no  time  was 
I  selected  for  any  office,  but  remained  a  private  throughout  the  whole 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  133 

four  years.  Then,  as  now,  neatness  in  dress  and  form,  with  a  strict  con 
formity  to  the  rules  were  the  qualifications  required  for  office,  and  I  sup- 
jx)se  I  was  found  not  to  excel  in  any  of  these.  In  studies  I  always  held  a 
respectable  reputation  with  the  professors,  and  generally  ranked  among 
the  best,  especially  in  drawing,  chemistiv,  mathematics,  and  natural  phi 
losophy.  My  average  demerits  per  annum  were  about  150,  which  reduced 
my  final  class  standing  from  four  to  six. 

Barely  missing  the  honor  of  "star"  graduate  at  his  alma 
mater,  he  moved  on  up  to  the  constellation  of  four  stars  on  the 
field. 


SKKVICK     IN     NEW      YORK,     FLORIDA,    ALABAMA,    SOUTH     CARO 
LINA,    AND    GEORGIA. 

[1H40-1M4B.] 

Upon  his  arrival  at  Governors  Island,  Lieutenant  SHERMAN 
performed  his  first  duty,  drilling  recruits,  who  later  (Octoljer) 
under  his  command  were  detailed  as  one  of  four  companies  for 
service  in  Florida. 

In  December,  1^37,  Gen.  Zachary  Taylor  disastrously  de 
feated  the  Seminoles  at  Okechobee.  He  was  in  chief  com 
mand,  with  headquarters  at  Tampa  Bay.  Lieutenant  SHER 
MAN'S  company — A,  Third  U.  S.  Artillery — was  stationed  at 
Fort  Pierce,  Indian  River. 

The  quarters  of  officers  and  men  in  those  days  were  log  huts, 
set  on  high  posts  and  thatched  with  palmetto  leaves,  the  inter 
vals  and  flanks  of  the  quadrangle  being  closed  with  log  stock 
ades.  Here  the  great  lieutenant  of  the  civil  war  began  military 
service  in  the  field. 

The  Indians  at  that  time  were  scattered  in  small  parties 
among  the  everglades.  It  was  the  duty  of  the  Army  in  small 
detachments  to  run  them  down,  secure  them,  and  send  them  to 
join  the  other  Seminoles  already  established  in  the  Indian  Ter 
ritory,  west  of  the  Arkansas.  In  commenting  upon  this  in 


134  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

after  life  General  SHERMAN  expressed  the  opinion  of  the  wiser 
policy  it  would  have  been  to  have  placed  these  tribes  upon 
reservations  in  their  native  hunting  grounds,  of  no  value  then 
nor  since  to  civilization,  instead  of  occupying  territory  avail 
able  for  a  large  population  skilled  in  all  the  arts  of  industry 
and  accustomed  to  the  environments  of  civilized  life. 

In  November,  1841,  Subaltern  SHERMAN  received  his  first 
promotion  to  first  lieutenant,  Company  G,  Third  Artillery, 
stationed  at  St.  Augustine.  With  this  rank  he  held  his  first 
separate  command  of  a  detachment  of  20  men  at  Picolata,  on  St. 
Johns  River,  18  miles  distant.  Duty  in  Florida  at  that  time 
was  attended  with  much  hardships  and  more  or  less  danger, 
owing  to  ambuscades  and  treachery.  In  February,  1842,  in  the 
transfer  of  the  Third  to  Gulf  posts,  he  took  station  at  Fort 
Morgan,  Mobile  Point,  on  the  bay  of  that  name  in  Alabama, 
where  he  acted  as  quartermaster  and  commissary. 

In  the  following  June  the  Third  received  orders  for  Atlantic 
posts  from  Savannah  to  North  Carolina,  Lieutenant  Sherman's 
company  at  Fort  Moultrie,  Charleston  Harbor,  South  Carolina. 

Life  at  this  post  was  purely,  garrison,  diversified  with  hunting 
and  social  intercourse  with  the  families  of  Charleston  and  the 
summer  residents  of  Sullivan  Island.  In  the  summer  of  1843, 
after  three  years  of  continuous  service,  having  been  granted  a 
furlough  of  three  months,  he  visited  his  old  home,  which  always 
held  a  warm  place  in  his  heart,  although  his  brothers  and  sis 
ters,  it  might  almost  have  been  said,  had  been  scattered  to  the 
four  winds. 

In  November  he  visited  St.  Louis,  then  a  town  of  40,000 
inhabitants,  spending  a  day  at  the  arsenal  and  Jefferson  Bar 
racks,  which  figured  in  the  beginning  of  his  military  career  in 
the  civil  war. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  135 

VISITS    SCKNKS    OF    I.ATKR    TRIUMPHS. 

In  reaching  his  post  lie  took  the  route  via  Xe\v  ( )rleans, 
Mo1)ile,  Montgomery,  Franklin,  Griffin,  Lagrange,  Macon, 
and  Savannah,  many  points  associated  with  his  movements  in 
1864,  arriving  at  Charleston  two  days  after  Christmas. 

In  the  early  part  of  1844,  while  assisting  the  inspector-gen 
eral  in  special  work,  he  spent  six  weeks  at  Marietta,  Oa.,  dur 
ing  which  time  he  repeatedly  visited  Kenesaw  Mountain,  the 
same  ground  over  which  he  fought  in  1864. 

In  March  of  the  same  year,  at  Bellefonte,  Ala.,  he  was  occu 
pied  on  the  same  duty  as  at  Marietta  After  two  months, 
completing  his  work,  he  started  back  to  his  post  on  horseback. 
In  this  journey  he  had  an  opportunity  of  studying  the  strateg 
ical  positions  of  Rome,  Allatoona,  Marietta,  Atlanta,  Macon, 
and  Augusta,  over  the  very  ground  of  his  great  Atlanta  cam 
paign  and  march  to  the  sea. 

RECRUITING — MKXICAN    WAR. 
[1S4H-47.I 

On  May  i,  1846,  Lieutenant  SHERMAN  was  detached  from 
the  Third  and  ordered  on  recruiting  service.  Three  companies 
of  his  regiment  were  already  en  route  for  the  seat  of  war. 

In  the  same  month  he  took  station  at  Pittsburg  and  almost 
immediately  was  authorized  to  open  a  subrendezvous  at  Zanes- 
ville,  Ohio,  about  36  miles  from  Lancaster,  his  home. 

About  the  end  of  the  same  month  (May)  news  of  the  battles 
at  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma  was  received.  The  lieu 
tenant  determined  that  a  recruiting  office  was  no  place  for  him. 
A  private  letter  from  an  officer  friend  at  the  same  time  informed 
him  that  Company  F  of  the  Third  Artillery,  then  stationed  at 
Fort  McHenrv,  Baltimore,  had  orders  for  California. 


136  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

At  once  SHERMAN  communicated  with  the  Adjutant-General 
at  Washington  to  consider  him  an  applicant  for  any  active 
service  that  might  present  itself,  adding  that  he  would  willingly 
forego  his  recruiting  detail. 

The  following  month  he  received  orders  assigning  him  to 
Company  F  mentioned.  At  the  same  time  he  was  informed 
from  private  sources  that  the  company  had  already  left  its 
former  station  for  Governors  Island,  New  York  Harbor,  where 
it  was  to  take  passage  for  California  on  a  naval  transport. 

His  orders  were  received  at  8  p.  m.  By  working  all  night  he 
closed  his  account  current,  turned  over  his  cash  balance  to  the 
citizen  physician  of  the  rendezvous,  and  made  up  his  clothing 
and  property  returns,  leaving  blank  receipts  with  the  doctor  for 
his  successor  to  sign  and  forward  in  duplicate  to  the  Department 
and  himself. 

The  next  morning  he  took  boat  to  Brownsville,  stage  to 
Cumberland,  and  rail  via  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia  to  New 
York. 

That  was  WILLIAM  T.  SHERMAN  at  26;  the  same  as  the 
nation  always  found  him  in  his  larger  sphere  of  activity  at 
41-45,  quick  to  decide  and  prompt  to  act.  Arriving  at  Gov 
ernors  Island  he  found  the  company  recruited  up  to  a  war  foot 
ing — 100  privates,  12  noncommissioned  officers,  i  ordnance 
sergeant,  and  5  officers. 

The  former  U.  S.  sloop  of  war  Lexington,  equipped  as  a  store 
ship,  was  anchored  abreast  Fort  Columbus.  The  officers  and 
men  embarked  on  July  14,  1846.  The  same  day  the  sloop  was 
towed  to  sea  on  her  voyage  of  10,000  miles  around  Cape  Horn. 

SAILING    AROUND    THE    HORN. 

In  order  to  keep  the  men  employed  during  more  than  six 
monotonous  months  afloat,  the  company  was  divided  into 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  137 

squads,  each  under  a  lieutenant  by  agreement  with  the  naval 
officers,  to  serve  in  watches,  doing  all  the  work  on  deck  while 
the  sailors  performed  all  duty  aloft.  At  the  same  time  the 
men  were  drilled  in  the  manual  of  arms. 

The  voyage  was  without  event  other  than  the  usual  visit  of 
Xeptune  over  the  sides  with  a  huge  wooden  razor  and  bucket  of 
soap  suds  for  the  initiation  of  greenhorns  crossing  "The  Line." 

In  October  the  Lexington  sighted  Staten  Island,  the  first 
land  approaching  the  cape,  but  it  was  fully  a  month  of  buffet 
ing  against  adverse  winds  and  heavy  seas  before  the  vessel  was 
fairly  headed  for  her  port  of  destination. 

CALIFORNIA — QUARTERMASTER — COMMISSARY — AID — 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 

[1H47-4S.] 

On  January  26,  1847,  one  hundred  and  ninety-six  days  out 
from  New  York,  the  Lexington  dropped  anchor  in  the  bay  of 
Monterey,  Cal. 

Upon  arrival  the  Californians  were  in  insurrection  on  land 
and  the  United  States  fleet  at  San  Diego.  General  Kearny, 
with  a  regiment  of  dragoons  about  i  ,000  strong,  was  at  hand 
from  New  Mexico  with  the  first  overland  expedition.  Also 
Captain  Fremont  with  his  party  of  explorers.  The  country 
was  overrun  by  guerillas. 

Lieutenant  SHERMAN,  being  quartermaster  and  commissary, 
had  the  superintendence  of  the  debarkation  of  the  men  and 
supplies  and  the  arrangements  of  the  camp  at  the  blockhouse 
overlooking  the  town.  Monterey  then  consisted  of  a  line  of 
low,  white  adobe  houses  backed  by  a  fringe  of  oak,  and  a  popu 
lation  of  i  ,000  Americans,  Mexicans,  and  Indians.  So  perfect 
had  been  the  discipline  and  health  aboard,  ever}'  man  landed, 
carrying  his  own  arms  and  accouterments,  and  marched  up  the 
hill  to  camp. 


138  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

By  a  combined  movement  of  the  land  and  sea  forces,  put 
ashore  for  the  purpose,  the  insurgents  were  surrounded  and 
surrendered  at  Los  Angeles. 

By  seniority  of  rank,  General  Kearny  had  command  in  chief 
on  shore  and  Commodore  Shubric  afloat. 

Very  soon  after  landing  Lieutenant  SHERMAX  was  relieved 
of  his  quartermaster  and  commissary  duties,  but  General 
Kearny,  appreciating  his  efficiency,  at  once  appointed  him  aid. 
In  this  capacity  he  accompanied  his  chief  on  the  Lexington  to 
Los  Angeles. 

Owing  to  a  dispute  about  command  Captain  Fremont  was 
practically  in  a  state  of  mutiny.  The  general,  determined  to 
put  an  end  to  further  misunderstanding,  directed  SHERMAX  to 
call  upon  Fremont  to  notify  him  of  his  arrival  and  of  his  desire 
to  see  him.  In  his  usual  tactful  way  SHERMAX  mollified  the 
explorer,  who  was  fortified  by  Senatorial  influence  but  not 
Department  documents.  The  two  were  not  long  in  reaching 
the  general's  headquarters  in  an  amicable  frame  of  mind,  where 
the  differences  \vere  arranged  by  Fremont  withdrawing  from 
the  position  he  had  assumed. 

General  Kearny  having  determined  to  return  overland  to 
Missouri,  an  escort  of  40  volunteers  from  the  Mormon  battalion, 
whose  term  of  enlistment  was  about  to  expire,  was  recruited. 
Under  command  of  Lieutenant  SHERMAX  this  reenlisted  com 
pany,  mounted  on  mules,  with  a  train  of  pack  animals,  marched 
from  Los  Angeles  to  Monterey  in  fifteen  days,  averaging  over 
30  miles  a  day,  beating  the  Lexington  at  sea  with  the  general 
on  board  by  several  days.  It  afforded  also  an  admirable  oppor 
tunity  to  study  the  nature  of  the  country,  a  variety  of  informa 
tion  which  proved  of  great  value  in  the  opening  of  the  coast 
and  the  vast  regions  toward  the  valley  of  the  Missouri  to  settle 
ment  and  industry. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  139 

Alxnit  the  end  of  May  General  Kearny  left  Monterey  on  his 
long  overland  inarch  to  the  East,  and  was  succeeded  by  Col.  R. 
B.  Mason,  First  Dragoons,  as  chief  in  command  of  all  the 
United  States  forces  on  shore,  with  headquarters  at  Monterey. 
The  post  of  adjutant-general  was  tendered  to  Lieutenant  SHER 
MAN  and  accepted. 

The  new  chief  was  a  veteran  of  large  experience  and  an 
unflinching  disciplinarian.  During  his  long  sen-ice  with  him 
SHERMAN,  in  the  difficult  role  of  adjutant,  enjoyed  his  unlimited 
confidence. 

At  this  time  a  controversy  broke  out  over  the  alcaldeship  of 
the  pueblo  of  Sonoma,  where  about  50  Americans  had  settled. 
One  of  the  rivals  claimed  an  election  by  the  inhabitants,  the 
other,  appointment  by  General  Kearny.  The  new  commander 
did  not  approve  of  the  elective  plan.  SHERMAN  was  called 
in  to  settle  the  dispute.  With  one  trusted  soldier  and  four 
horses  he  started  on  his  mission,  being  joined  on  the  way 
by  an  officer  and  eight  sailors  from  the  frigate  Columbus.  Ar 
riving  at  the  place,  he  was  directed  to  the  domicile  where  the 
alcalde  was  to  be  found. 

Having  stationed  his  men,  SHERMAN  entered.  Two  men 
and  two  women  were  seated  at  a  table.  SHERMAN  inquired 
for  his  man,  but  was  informed  he  was  not  there.  One  of  the 
women,  however,  by  her  manner  indicated  the  party.  SHER 
MAN,  with  pistol  ready,  advanced,  remarking: 

' '  You  are  wanted. ' ' 

"Where?" 

"At  Monterey." 

"Why?" 

"  I  will  explain  more  at  leisure  later,"  said  SHERMAN. 

The  owner  of  the  house,  springing  toward  the  door,  demanded 
to  know  why  he  came  there  "to  arrest  a  peaceable  citizen  in 


140  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

his  house."  SHERMAN,  leveling  his  pistol,  exclaimed:  "  Get 
out  of  my  way. ' ' 

The  sailors,  hearing  the  commotion,  closed  up. 

The  other  part}',  becoming  somewhat  threatening,  especially 
of  speech,  the  undaunted  SHERMAN  exclaimed,  "Shut  up,  or 
I'll  take  you,  too." 

The  deposed  was  carried  to  Monterey,  but  promising  peace 
was  released.  The  new  alcalde  entered  the  office  and  organized 
the  pueblo. 

At  that  time  (July,  1847)  the  chief  town  on  the  great  bay 
was  Yerba  Buena,  of  which  an  American  naval  officer  was  first 
alcalde.  The  place  had  been  surveyed.  Lots  sold  at  $16  a  plat 
of  50  varas  square  (linear,  0.914  yards).  Many  army  and  navy 
officers  and  clerks  purchased,  but  SHERMAN,  with  his  usual 
judgment,  declined  on  account  of  the  natural  conditions,  which 
he  thought  were  not  suitable.  The  population  consisted  of  400 
persons,  mostly  Kanakas,  natives  of  the  Sandwich  Islands. 

Every  mail,  though  at  long  and  irregular  intervals;  brought 
tidings  of  marches  and  victories  in  old  Mexico.  In  the  mean 
time,  affairs  were  as  peaceful  as  could  be  in  California. 

The  country  which  had  been  taken  over  by  Mexico  in  1823 
was  in  the  enjoyment  of  practical  independence  as  early  as 
1836.  After  the  arrival  of  the  United  States  forces  and  the 
surrender  of  the  insurrectionists  there  was  little  to  relieve  the 
monotony  of  existence. 

This  was  a  condition  illy  suited  to  a  person  of  SHERMAN'S 
temperament  and  ambition. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  141 

DISCOVKRY    OF    GOLD — FIRST   OVERLAND    MAIL. 
[1848,] 

In  the  spring  of  1848  an  incident  occurred  which  proved  to 
be  one  of  the  foremost  events  of  the  world's  history.  At  the 
office  of  Adjutant-General  SHKRMAN  two  men  appeared,  both 
showing  the  wear  of  a  rugged  journey  and  acting  in  a  manner 
somewhat  suspicious.  One  of  them  requested  to  see  the  gov 
ernor. 

The  adjutant-general  naturally  inquired  their  business. 

The  spokesman  replied  that  they  had  come  from  Captain 
Sutter  on  a  special  errand  and  wished  to  see  the  governor  in 
person.  Thereupon  they  were  presented  to  the  colonel,  who 
also  responded  to  the  political  call  "governor." 

A  few  moments  later  the  colonel  hailing  SHKRMAN  into  the 
room  directed  his  attention  to  a  paper  spread  on  his  table  con 
taining  yellow  particles,  apparently  metal. 

"What  is  it?  "  said  the  colonel.  "  Is  it  gold?  "  rejoined  the 
adjutant-general,  adding  that  he  had  seen  gold  in  upper  Geor 
gia,  meanwhile  testing  it  l>etween  his  teeth,  showing  a  metallic 
luster,  also  its  malleability.  The  colonel  handed  him  the  accom 
panying  letter  from  Captain  Sutter. 

Adjutant-General  SHERMAN  wrote  the  reply. 

That  was  the  gold  first  discovered  in  the  Sierra  Nevada 
Mountains,  which  gave  an  impetus  to  the  westward  march  of 
empire  and  civilization  unparalleled  in  the  history  of  any 
country. 

Until  then  quicksilver  was  the  great  metallic  substance  pro 
duced  in  the  Sierras  of  California,  the  most  important  mine 
being  the  New  Almaden,  12  miles  south  of  San  Jose.  During 
the  same  summer  of  1848  these  mines  and  the  surrounding 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 10 


142  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

region  were  visited  by  the  colonel  commanding  and  Adjutant- 
General  SHERMAN. 

The  cry  of  ' '  gold ' '  had  set  in  motion  a  rush  from  all  direc 
tions  and  among  all  classes,  which  was  irresistible.  Fabulous 
accounts  of  discoveries  and  earnings  of  $50,  $500,  and  $1,000  a 
day  by  the  fortunate  ones  had  so  completely  turned  all  heads 
and  upturned  all  business  that  even  soldiers  subject  to  the 
sternest  discipline  took  the  possibility  of  death  for  desertion 
rather  than  miss  the  chance  of  magic  wealth.  The  yellow  par 
ticles  also  began  to  appear  at  Yerba  Buena  in  the  very  much 
magnified  channels  of  trade. 

The  war  with  Mexico  was  lost  in  the  excitement.  Even 
SHERMAN  was  sufficiently  infected  to  urge  upon  his  chief  the 
duty  of  visiting  the  mines  for  inspection  and  report  to  the  Gov 
ernment  what  was  going  on. 

The  colonel  thought  so,  too. 

While  these  wonderful  occurrences  were  occupying  atten 
tion  another  event  transpired  which  was  the  installation  of 
another  marvelous  transformation. 

A  small,  somewhat  bowed,  gray-eyed,  sandy-haired,  monosyl 
labic  individual,  known  to  all  white  and  red  men  of  the  plains 
as  Kit  Carson,  had  arrived  from  Taos  in  New  Mexico  via  L,os 
Angeles  with  the  first  "overland  mail."  SHERMAN  was  sent 
by  the  governor  to  meet  Kit.  The  hero,  taking  the  mail  from 
a  pair  of  saddlebags,  accompanied  him  to  headquarters,  where 
the  world-renowned  hunter  and  trapper  placed  the  harmless  but 
portentous  budget  in  Colonel  Mason's  own  hands. 

This  brave  man  had  traveled  2,000  miles  through  the  heart 
of  the  far  western  wilds  teeming  with  savage  men  and  ferocious 
brutes. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  143 

OFFICIAL    HKKALD   OF    GOLD. 

'  Toward  the  end  of  June,  1848,  preparations  were  complete-, 
and  Col.  R.  B.  Mason,  military  governor  of  California;  WILLIAM 
T.  SHKRMAX,  adjutant-general;  four  gwxl  soldiers,  and  a  negro 
servant,  on  go<xl  mounts  and  with  plenty  of  packs,  were  en 
route,  by  the  usual  traveled  trail,  for  the  newly  discovered 
gold  mines.  They  arrived  in  due  time,  via  Sausalito,  San 
Rafael  Mission,  Bcxlega,  Sonoma,  and  the  Pata  and  Sacramento 
rivers. 

At  that  time  [says  General  SHERMAN  in  his  Memoirs]  there  was  not  the 
sign  of  a  habitation  there  or  thereabouts  except  the  fort  and  an  old  adol>e 
house  east  of  the  fort,  known  as  the  hospital.  The  fort  itself  was  one  of 
adobe  walls,  al>out  20  feet  high,  rectangular  in  form,  with  two-story  block 
houses  at  diagonal  corners.  The  entrance  was  by  a  large  gate,  open  by 
day  and  closed  at  night,  with  two  iron  ship's  guns  near  at  hand. 

The  next  day,  July  5,  the  party  resumed  their  journey  to  the 
spot  where  the  first  gold  was  found,  at  the  Coloma  mill,  40 
miles  above  Sutler's  fort,  on  the  American  Fork  of  the  Sacra 
mento  River. 

The  secret  was  out.  The  sawmill  and  everything  else  went 
down  before  the  mad  rush  for  golden  wealth. 

After  a  week  passed  at  the  diggings  proper  and  new  mines, 
the  visit  was  suddenly  terminated  by  the  announcement  of  the 
arrival  of  a  ship  at  Monterey  with  dispatches  from  Commodore 
Shubrick,  at  Ma/.atlan,  that  the  war  was  over  and  commis 
sioners  were  arranging  the  terms  of  peace. 

This  was  timely  information,  as  a  few  days  more  of  the 
high  pressure  then  on  would  have  found  the  regiments  de 
serting  en  masse;  instead,  the  men  were  now  promised  an 
honorable  discharge  by  a  few  days'  waiting. 

Colonel  Mason,  fully  realizing  the  necessity  of  sending 
positive  information  of  the  "find,"  directed  SHERMAN  to 


144  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

prepare  a  letter  to  the  Adjutant-General  at  Washington. 
This  document  was  dated  August  17,  1848.  At  SHERMAN'S 
suggestion,  a  "can"  of  specimens  of  the  metal,  to  accompany 
the  letter,  was  purchased  at  $10  an  ounce,  the  value  at  the 
custom-house.  A  lieutenant  was  detailed  to  carry  the  news, 
and  a  bark  was  chartered  to  carry  him  down  the  coast  in 
time  to  catch  the  October  .steamer  to  Panama.  The  officer 
from  New  Orleans  telegraphed  the  newrs  to  Washington  and 
followed  with  the  report,  but  not  in  time  to  catch  the  Presi 
dent's  message  at  the  opening  of  Congress.  The  subject, 
however,  was  made  the  theme  of  a  special  communication, 
which  electrified  the  world  even  beyond  the  excitement  occa 
sioned  by  the  news  as  it  had  leaked  out  through  other 
channels. 

PEACE    WITH    MEXICO — SHERMAN   A    BOOMER. 

[1848-41).] 

In  September,  1848,  the  official  news  of  the  signature  of  the 
treaty  of  Guadalupe  Hidalgo  the  preceding  May  reached 
headquarters  by  courier  from  La  Paz. 

The  troops,  as  promised,  were  promptly  mustered  out,  except 
ing  one  company  of  dragoons  at  Los  Angeles  and  one  company 
of  artillery  at  Monterey.  All  business  had  now  ceased  and 
prospecting  and  digging  took  precedence  of  everything  else. 
Men  were  earning  from  $40  to  $100  a  day,  averaging  $16,  with 
the  temptation  of  better  luck  at  even  larger  figures. 

In  the  intense  excitement  the  new  town  of  San  Francisco 
began  to  forge  ahead  until  Yerba  Buena  was  lost  in  the  hustle, 
and  Benicia,  established  as  a  rival,  soon  found  itself  "  not  in  it." 

The  contagion  had  now  so  taken  hold  of  everybody  that  in 
the  autumn  of  the  same  year  the  colonel  and  adjutant-general 
made  a  second  trip  to  Sutter's  mines,  and  also  those  on  the 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  145 

Stanislaus,   called  Sonora,  just  discovered,  and  presenting  the 
same  conditions  as  at  Coloma  and  Mormon  Island. 

The  colonel  returned  to  Monterey,  leaving  his  adjutant  and 
another  officer  at  Sutler's  fort,  where  they  formed  a  partner 
ship  in  a  store  at  Coloma  with  a  former  clerk  of  the  officer 
referred  to.  Each  of  the  three  put  up  $500,  and  in  a  very 
short  time  realized  $1,500  on  their  investment. 

BOARDS  FIRST  PANAMA  STEAMER  —  SURVEYOR  —  CALIFORNIA 
CONVENTION  —  FIRST  MOVE  FOR  A  TRANSCONTINENTAL 
RAILROAD. 


The  arrival  at  Monterey  on  February  23,  1849,  of  the  steamer 
California,  the  pioneer  of  the  Panama  route,  was  celebrated  by 
a  national  salute.  Adjutant-General  SHERMAN  was  the  first 
man  to  board.  Among  her  passengers  were  Gen.  Persifer  K. 
Smith,  the  commander  of  the  new  Division  of  the  Pacific,  re 
lieving  Colonel  Mason,  and  Major  Can  by,  his  adjutant-general, 
to  succeed  Lieutenant  SHERMAN. 

The  time  now  seemed  opportune  to  SHERMAN  to  leave  the 
Army.  His  record  as  an  officer  and  man  was  of  the  highest 
character  among  the  motley  population  attracted  from  all  parts 
of  the  globe.  He  had  received  most  tempting  offers  of  a  busi 
ness  partnership.  With  a  view  to  acceptance,  he  handed  his 
resignation  to  General  Smith,  who,  however,  promptly  declined 
to  receive  it,  stating  that  he  desired  him  to  remain  as  adjutant- 
general  of  the  division. 

The  headquarters  were  transferred  to  San  Francisco.  Lieu 
tenant  SHERMAN,  whose  knowledge  of  affairs  was  most  valu 
able,  made  all  the  arrangements.  He  now  found  himself  one  of 
the  leading  men  of  the  '  '  Coast.  '  '  The  mail  line  of  steamers  via 
Panama  was  a  permanent  institution.  A  naval  and  military 


146  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

commission  from  Washington  had  located  the  United  States 
navy-yard  at  Mare  Island  and  the  United  States  military  store 
house  and  arsenal  for  the  army  at  Benicia.  The  division  head 
quarters  were  established  at  the  same  place,  as  also  the  depot  of 
the  Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Company.  Soon  after  headquarters 
made  another  change  to  Sonoma.  Lieutenant  SHERMAN  as 
adjutant-general  of  the  division  was  relieved,  a  regular  appoint 
ment  having  been  made,  and  became  one  of  the  aids.  The 
openings  for  business  employment  induced  General  Smith  to 
encourage  several  of  the  better  equipped  officers  to  take  advan 
tage  of  their  opportunities,  among  others  SHERMAN. 

This  officer,  from  his  knowledge  of  the  country,  its  condi 
tions,  and  people,  was  in  particular  demand  for  surveying  and 
the  plotting  of  towns,  for  one  piece  of  work  alone  being  paid 
$500  and  a  number  of  lots,  from  the  sale  of  part  of  which  he 
received  another  $500.  There  was  no  more  reliable  surveyor 
in  the  whole  country.  In  one  land  transaction  he  received 
$3,000,  and  for  a  single  day's  surveying  $500  for  himself  and 
party.  He  also  ran  the  line  dividing  the  city  of  Benicia  from 
the  Government  reservation,  sounded  the  bay,  and  staked  the 
channel  up  to  Suisun.  His  old  friend,  Captain  Sutter,  also 
engaged  him  to  connect  the  survey  of  Sacramento  to  that  of 
Sutterville,  3  miles  below. 

Upon  the  return  of  his  chief  and  staff,  SHERMAN  sold  his 
instruments  and  had  a  general  clean  up,  in  which  he  realized 
$6,000  in  two  months  and  returned  to  headquarters  at  Sonoma. 

During  the  entire  summer  of  1849  the  inpour  of  people  by 
steamers,  sailing  vessels,  and  overland  was  enormous.  The 
establishment  of  civil  government  being  in  order,  the  military 
government  issued  a  proclamation  for  the  election  of  delegates 
to  a  convention  to  frame  a  constitution.  When  the  convention 
met  at  Monterey  SHERMAN  was  sent  to  watch  its  proceedings, 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  147 

in  order  to  keep  his  chief  advised  of  the  progress  of  events 
toward  the  formation  of  California  into  a  State  for  admission  to 
the  Union. 

Another  inijxirtant  movement  in  this  magically  developing 
region  with  which  the  name  of  SHKRMAN  was  associated  was 
his  detail  by  General  Smith  to  Sacramento  City  to  instruct  the 
officers  of  engineers  how  to  push  their  surveys  of  the  Sierra 
Nevada  Mountains  in  order  to  ascertain  the  possibility  of  cross 
ing  that  range  by  means  of  a  railway.  It  was  generally 
assumed  that  such  a  road  could  not  be  built  along  any  of  the 
immigration  routes  then  in  use. 

It  was  while  on  this  duty  that  the  great  national  project 
of  a  transcontinental  railway  first  received  his  thoughtful 
consideration. 

After  his  return  to  San  Francisco  about  Christmas,  1849,  a 
vessel  from  Oregon  brought  a  package  of  dispatches  with  an 
order  from  General  Smith  for  SHERMAN  to  deliver  them  in 
person  to  Gen.  Winfield  Scott  in  New  York  City. 

OFF    FOR    WASHINGTON — MARRIAGE. 
[I860.] 

On  the  ist  day  of  January,  1850,  having  paid  his  passage 
money,  then  $600,  he  hastened  to  Monterey  by  land  to  bid  fare 
well  to  old  friends. 

There  boarding  the  steamer,  by  the  end  of  the  same  month  he 
had  delivered  the  dispatches  as  directed  and  was  ordered  by 
General  Scott  to  carry  them  to  Washington  and  lay  them  before 
the  Secretar>-  of  War. 

There  he  found  his  patron  and  friend,  Mr.  Ewing,  filling  the 
post  of  Secretary  of  the  Interior  in  the  Cabinet  of  President 
Taylor,  and  a  few  days  later  was  presented  to  the  President, 


148  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

whom  he  had  never  seen,  although  he  had  served  under  him  in 
Florida. 

The  veteran  received  the  young  officer  of  artillery  with  the 
greatest  kindness,  asked  him  many  questions,  particularly  men 
tioning  his  former  chief  in  California,  Colonel  Mason,  who  had 
spoken  of  him  in  the  highest  terms  and  would  be  pleased  to  do 
anything  for  him. 

Upon  his  return  to  Washington  from  a  visit  to  his  mother  in 
Ohio,  all  the  preparatory  arrangements  having  been  made,  on 
May  i,  1850,  our  lieutenant  took  unto  himself  a  bride — Miss 
Ellen  Boyle  Ewing,  daughter  of  his  patron  and  friend.  The 
wedding  was  one  of  the  most  notable  events  of  the  year  in  the 
polite  life  of  the  nation's  capital.  The  father  of  the  bride  was  a 
member  of  the  official  household  of  the  President,  who  was 
present  with  his  entire  Cabinet,  and  such  men  of  national  fame 
as  Webster,  Clay,  and  Benton. 

The  wedding  took  place  in  the  stately  mansion,  still  standing 
opposite  the  north  fagade  of  the  War  Department,  later  owned 
by  Francis  P.  Blair,  sr. 

After  a  honeymoon  tour  of  Baltimore,  New  York,  Niagara, 
and  among  friends  in  Ohio,  the  lieutenant  and  his  bride  were 
back  again  in  Washington  by  the  ist  day  of  July,  just  in  time 
to  unite  in  the  universal  grief  caused  by  the  death  of  the 
President. 

CAPTAIN    AND    COMMISSARY — TWO  SHIPWRECKS. 
[1850-1S.VJ.] 

The  name  of  W.  T.  SHERMAN  was  on  the  muster  roll  as  first 
lieutenant  (Light),  Company  C,  Third  Artillery,  stationed  at 
Jefferson  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  at  which  point  he  was 
ordered  to  report  for  duty. 

Upon  the  passage  of  the  bill  which  increased  the  personnel 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  149 

of  the  Commissary  Department  by  four  captains,  SHERMAN  was 
promoted  (Septeml>er  27,  1850)  to  one  of  the  places,  with  orders 
to  take  station  at  St.  Louis. 

During  the  year  of  service  at  this  post  he  displayed  his  usual 
solicitude  for  the  interests  of  the  Government  by  personal 
inspections  of  all  purchases,  especially  of  beef  and  the  larger 
articles  for  the  Arm}'. 

In  September,  1852,  he  was  suddenly  transferred  to  New 
Orleans  to  relieve  a  commissary  who  was  under  a  cloud  for 
alleged  preference  shown  a  contracting  farm  in  which  his  brother 
was  a  partner.  SHERMAN  at  once  put  an  end  to  complaints  by 
making  all  purchases  in  the  open  market. 

About  the  end  of  the  same  year  an  old  friend  from  St.  Louis 
called  at  his  office  with  articles  of  copartnership  for  the  estab 
lishment  of  a  bank  in  California,  to  be  known  as  Lucas,  Turner 
&  Co.,  SHERMAN  being  the  latter. 

The  entire  affair  had  been  arranged  without  previous  consul 
tation.  The  party  was  on  his  way  to  New  York  to  take  steamer 
for  San  Francisco  to  open  the  branch  at  that  point.  The 
parent  house  already  existed  as  Lucas  &  Symonds  at  St.  Louis. 
The  party  left  the  papers  and  proceeded  on  his  journey.  He 
was  almost  immediately  followed  by  the  principal  of  the  firm, 
James  H.  Lucas,  with  details  about  the  California  branch, 
stating  that  SHERMAN'S  name  had  been  included  at  the  instance 
of  Mr.  Turner,  who  was  not  willing  to  remain  on  the  coast, 
and  desired  him  to  take  his  place. 

With  a  tempting  income  and  an  interest,  he  asked  for  six 
months'  leave  to  go  to  San  Francisco  and  look  over  the  ground. 
All  other  matters  arranged,  in  February,  1853,  he  sent  his 
family  to  Ohio  and  sailed  by  the  Nicaragua  route. 

The  captain  of  the  vessel,  losing  his  reckoning,  on  April  3 
struck  a  reef  18  miles  above  the  entrance  to  San  Francisco  Bay. 


150  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

In  this  perilous  position  SHERMAN  showed  himself  as  cool 
afloat — or,  rather,  asinking — as  ashore.  He  was  among  the 
last  passengers  to  leave  the  ship  and  the  first  to  start  in  search 
of  relief.  Finding  a  lumber  schooner,  a  quick  sail  down  the 
coast  soon  found  him  inside  the  "Golden  Gate."  But  troubles 
came  not  singly.  The  schooner,  "getting  into  the  throat  of 
the  '  Heads,'  "  with  a  strong  wind  against  an  ebb  tide,  shoved 
her  nose  under  the  water  and  keeled  over,  rolling  SHERMAN 
overboard,  mingled  with  the  loose  cargo  of  lumber,  ropes,  and 
tackle. 

Being  an  expert  swimmer  alone  saved  him.  Striking  out 
for  the  stern  and  clambering  over  the  bottom,  he  succeeded  in 
perching  himself  astride  the  keel,  feeling  secure  as  far  as  sink 
ing  was  concerned,  the  entire  cargo  being  floatable,  but  the 
sensation  of  drifting  out  to  sea  on  a  racing  tide  was  anything 
but  reassuring. 

Fortunately  for  the  country  the  master  of  a  schooner,  seeing 
the  accident,  cast  off  a  boat  and  released  the  "shipwrecked 
mariner"  with  the  matter-of-fact  observation,  "This  is  a  nice 
mess  you  got  yourself  into." 

The  "old  salt"  dumped  him  ashore  at  the  foot  of  the  bluff 
below  the  fort,  from  whence  he  footed  it  up  to  the  Presidio. 

In  this  predicament  the  sentinel  surveyed  him  with  much 
suspicion,  but  consented  to  hand  his  card  to  the  officers  within. 
Their  astonishment  and  mutual  surprise  ended  two  shipwrecks 
in  a  single  day. 

Without  caring  for  himself,  the  captain  hastened  to  the  office 
of  the  steamship  company  and  gave  particulars  and  suggestions. 
The  passengers  were  rescued  from  the  beach  by  relief  steamers 
the  next  morning.  SHERMAN  lost  his  valise,  but  saved  his 
trunk. 


S/icnnan:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  151 

LEAVES    THK    ARMY — HANKER. 
[18U-18M.] 

Captain  SHERMAN  found  San  Francisco  much  "progressed" 
since  he  left  it  on  New  Year's  clay  three  years  before.  The  city 
was  on  the  top  wave  of  "wild-cat"  speculation,  prices  were 
soaring,  and  enterprises  of  all  kinds  Ixxnning. 

The  bank  of  Lucas,  Turner  &  Co.  was  in  full  blast,  receiving 
deposits,  negotiating  bills  of  exchange,  and  loaning  money  at  3 
per  cent  a  month.  Examination  led  to  an  agreement  on  the 
part  of  SHERMAN  to  return  to  St.  Louis,  confer  with  Lucas  & 
Symonds,  settle  upon  details,  and  return  permanently. 

In  July  he  was  back  in  "the  States"  at  St.  Louis,  where  all 
terms  were  arranged. 

Now  came  the  final  step.  Returning  to  Lancaster,  a  family 
council  was  held,  Mr.  Ewing  and  Mrs.  Sherman  being  the  chief 
parties  to  determine.  The  project  received  their  approval, 
whereupon  he  dispatched  his  resignation  to  the  Adjutant-Gen 
eral  of  the  United  States  Army,  to  take  effect  at  the  end  of  his 
six  months'  leave.  Accordingly,  on  September  6,  1853,  WILLIAM 
T.  SHERMAN  ceased  to  be  an  officer  in  the  Army  of  the  United 
States  of  America. 

It  could  truly  be  said  no  officer  of  33  years  of  age  had  ever 
left  the  military  service  with  a  better  record  for  courage  and 
efficiency  in  every  sphere  of  duty. 

With  as  little  delay  as  possible,  having  arranged  for  his 
departure  on  September  20,  leaving  his  eldest  child  with  her 
grandparents,  he  took  steamer  at  New  York  with  his  wife  and 
infant  daughter,  reaching  San  Francisco  by  the  Nicaragua  route 
October  15.  All  his  old-time  comrades  welcomed  him  once 
more  in  their  midst,  and  old  friends  in  business  greeted  him  as 
one  of  them. 


152  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

This  phase  of  the  life  of  SHERMAN  is  perhaps  one  of  the  best 
proofs  of  the  versatility  of  his  genius  and  the  adamantine  firm 
ness  of  his  character.  He  was  not  long  in  getting  on  to  the 
delusive  basis  of  the  entire  financial  and  business  fabric  about 
him.  To  use  his  own  expression,  he  "had  to  drift  along  with 
the  rest  toward  the  Niagara  thaft  none  foresaw  at  the  time." 

Even  in  this  radically  different  field  of  action  SHERMAN  was 
a  success.  By  the  spring  of  1854,  barely  six  months  after 
assuming  the  navigation  of  a  financial  institution  in  the  midst 
of  a  sea  of  trouble,  his  business  showed  average  deposits  of  a 
half  million  and  sales  of  exchange  and  shipment  of  $200,000 
bullion  per  steamer. 

Although  he  had  an  associate,  he  proposed  to  take  no  chances. 
He  signed  all  bills  of  exchange,  and  fortunately  insisted  upon 
being  consulted  on  loans  and  discounts.  As  a  consequence,  he 
seldom  lost  on  poor  loans.  His  skill  in  financial  management 
was  thrillingly  illustrated  by  the  experience  he,  with  others, 
had  with  Henry  Meigs,  a  bold  operator  and  conspicuous  figure 
in  the  style  of  money  transactions  on  ' '  the  coast ' '  in  those 
times.  Meigs  was  always  a  heavy  borrower  and  an  ambidex 
trous  manipulator  of  debtor  and  creditor  operations.  The  men 
on  'change  had  either  great  faith  in  or  fear  of  him. 

As  the  climax  approached,  which  SHERMAN  clearly  foresaw, 
Meigs  owed  the  bank  of  Lucas,  Turner  &  Co.  $75,000  to 
$80,000.  He  determined  to  reduce  this  amount  and  limit 
Meigs's  operations  to  $25,000,  secured  by  mortgages. 

The  fearlessness  with  which  SHERMAN  took  up  the  matter, 
when  everyone  else  backed  water,  was  another  experience  to 
adorn  a  tale,  in  fact,  one  with  all  the  curdling  features  of  the 
wildest  romance. 

In  addition  to  the  mortgages  he  also  obtained  a  substitution 
of  three  acceptances  of  a  Hamburg  firm  for  the  overplus.  In 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  153 

return  SHERMAN  surrendered  to  Meigs  all  his  former  notes, 
except  one,  for  which  he  was  the  indorser.  The  acceptances 
matured  and  were  paid  in  the  nick  of  time,  for  one  balmy 
morning  Mr.  Meigs  was  missing,  as  discovered  afterwards, 
having  taken  "French  leave"  in  a  sailing  vessel  for  South 
America. a 

This  was  the  l>eginning  of  a  general  crash.  The  bank  of 
Lucas,  Turner  <5t  Co.,  through  conservative  management, 
practically  alone  survived  the  general  wreck.  SHERMAN  took 
Meigs's  fine  dwelling  house  and  other  property,  upon  which  he 
had  secured  mortgages.  On  city  warrants,  properly  signed, 
but  fraudulently  issued,  the  bank  lost  $10,000. 

A    RUSH    NOT    IN    TACTICS — M AJOR-C.ENERAL   OK    MILITIA. 

[IH55-1S57.] 

A  storm  was  brewing  in  an  unexpected  quarter.  Intimations 
were  received  from  the  St.  Louis  house  during  the  winter  of 
1854-55  that  the  bank  of  Page,  Bacon  &  Co.,  New  York,  was 
in  trouble.  This  was  a  surprise,  as  the  California  branch  had 
been  esteemed  the  safest  on  "the  coast."  The  spring  of  1855 
brought  information  that  the  New  York  house  had  failed, 
which  naturally  started  a  run  on  the  San  Francisco  branch. 
After  resisting  the  pressure  for  three  days,  SHERMAN  was 
appealed  to  to  unite  in  signing  a  paper  guaranteeing  the 
bank's  solvency.  SHERMAN  had  kept  his  own  bank  on  a  foot 
ing  safe  against  all  emergencies.  Therefore,  with  his  usual 


<•  In  the  antipodal  summer  of  1871,  while  on  a  tour  of  investigation  of  the  consulates 
of  the  United  States,  the  writer  was  a  guest  of  "  Don  "  Enriques  Meigs,  again  enriched, 
at  his  palatial  home  near  Santiago  de  Chile,  and  also  made  a  cruise  with  him  in  his 
steamer  yacht  up  the  coast.  He  was  a  man  of  large  enterprises,  having  built  a  rail 
road  in  the  Andes  at  an  elevation  of  over  10,000  feet.  He  was  highly  respected  in  his 
new  land.  He  paid  much  of  his  San  Francisco  indebtedness,  but  repined  bitterly 
over  his  enforced  exile.  He  left  debts,  it  was  said,  aggregating  over  a  million. 


154  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

conservatism,  he  refused  to  cooperate  without  first  personally 
examining  the  financial  condition  of  the  institution,  as  such 
an  act  would  be  equivalent  to  an  indorsement.  Upon  taking 
this  stand  one  of  the  partners  of  the  concern  became  very 
offensive.  Thereupon  SHERMAN  withdrew,  followed  by  one  of 
the  parties  whom  he  advised  to  keep  out.  The  firm  still  in 
sisted  upon  signature  without  investigation.  Others  refused. 
As  a  consequence  the  bank  the  next  day  closed  its  doors  ' '  for 
want  of  coin,"  a  subterfuge  for  hopeless  insolvency  which 
SHERMAN  suspected.  A  general  crash  followed,  but  SHER 
MAN'S  bank  weathered  the  tempest  and  naturally  now  stood  in 
the  first  rank. 

It  is  interesting  to  know  that  so  strong  was  he  in  the  confi 
dence  of  the  substantial  element  of  the  community  that  cap 
italists  and  others  upon  being  assured  upon  his  simple  word  of 
honor  their  money  was  safe  went  away  satisfied,  notwithstand 
ing  heavy  bets  SHERMAN  would  close  his  doors.  The  next 
day  instead  of  a  run,  for  which  he  was  fully  prepared,  large 
deposits  were  made  and  matters  went  along  as  smoothly  as  if 
the  entire  financial  world  around  him  were  enjoying  a  full  tide 
of  prosperity. 

SHERMAN    IN    POLITICS. 

The  following  year  Mr.  SHERMAN  found  himself  unexpectedly 
drawn  into  the  politics  of  the  city.  He  had  been  appointed 
major-general  of  the  Second  Division  Militia,  which  embraced 
San  Francisco.  The  municipal  affairs  were  not  only  corrupt, 
but  murder  in  open  day  on  the  public  thoroughfares  was  of  con 
stant  recurrence.  The  "vigilance  committee,"  organized  from 
excellent  motives,  had  become  as  dangerous  to  the  peace  and 
security  of  the  community  as  the  crimes  which  they  proposed 
to  suppress.  General  Wool,  now  in  command  of  the  United 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  155 

States  forces,  had  promised  arms  and  ammunition  if  the  gov 
ernor  would  issue  a  proclamation  warning  the  committee  to 
disperse.  In  event  of  refusal,  General  SHERMAN  proposed  to 
call  out  the  militia  and  put  down  the  "vigilantes"  on  the  spot. 
It  was  also  understood  that  the  ' '  law  and  order ' '  men  would 
cooperate  on  the  call  of  the  sheriff.  For  some  reason  General 
Wool  changed  his  mind,  refusing  to  carry  out  his  promise. 

SHERMAN  finding  himself  in  command  of  a  small  army  with 
out  arms  became  disgusted  and  resigned,  declaring  that  he  was 
out  of  it  and  in  the  future  would  ' '  mind  his  own  business. ' ' 

The  winter  of  1855-56  found  business  more  unsettled  than 
ever.  The  mines  were  yielding  a  steady  influx  of  $50,000,000 
a  year  of  gold,  but  every  other  industry  was  ignored  or  at  halt. 
Men  of  respectability  settled  their  debts  by  a  very  liberal  bank 
rupt  law.  The  State  and  city  had  already  in  part  relieved 
themselves  of  their  obligations  by  repudiation. 

CLOSES    IN   SAN    FRANCISCO — OPENS    IN    WALL   STREET. 

[1857.] 

The  health  of  Mr.  SHERMAN  was  not  at  its  best  owing  to 
asthma.  Besides,  he  began  to  realize  that  the  prime  cause  for 
the  establishment  of  the  bank  had  accomplished  its  purpose. 
He  so  reported  to  the  parent  house  at  St.  Louis.  His  sugges 
tions  met  with  instant  approval,  followed  by  instructions  to 
gradually  draw  out  preparatory  to  removal  to  New  York. 
Accordingly,  in  April,  1857,  he  issued  a  public  notification  that 
on  May  i  the  bank  would  discontinue  business  and  be  trans 
ferred  to  New  York.  All  persons  having  deposits  were 
requested  to  withdraw  their  accounts;  also  on  the  day  named 
they  would  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  banking  house  with 
which  he  had  entered  into  a  business  agreement  to  that 
extent. 


156  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

On  May  i  the  house  of  Lucas,  Turner  &  Co.,  which  under 
SHERMAN'S  management  had  weathered  the  oft-recurring 
storms  of  reckless  speculation,  regularly  closed  its  doors  with 
out  owing  a  cent  and  with  a  name  for  probity  never  excelled 
in  ' '  coast ' '  financial  operations  from  that  day  to  this. 

On  the  same  day  Banker  SHERMAN  with  his  family 
departed  for  New  York  amid  universal  regret.  Leaving  his 
family  in  Ohio,  he  hastened  to  make  report  of  his  stewardship 
to  the  partners  in  St.  Louis,  which  now  bore  the  firm  name 
James  H.  Lucas  &  Co. 

It  was  at  once  determined  to  institute  a  branch  in  New 
York,  with  SHERMAN  at  its  head.  Under  the  partnership 
title  "Lucas,  Turner  &  Co.,"  he  opened  his  doors  at  12  Wall 
street  on  July  21,  1857. 

The  wild  operations  of  ' '  the  street ' '  were  then  at  their 
height.  A  month  later  the  operators  were  thrown  into  a  panic 
by  the  failure  of  a  trust  company. 

Although  SHERMAN  had  kept  aloof,  he  could  not  fail  to  feel 
the  tumble  in  western  stocks,  with  which  he  was  chiefly  con 
cerned.  His  house  was  not  a  borrower  in  New  York,  but  his 
western  correspondents  kept  him  busy  looking  after  their  inter 
ests.  By  September  the  suspension  of  banks  in  the  city  was 
practically  universal,  and  finally  led  to  a  general  crash  through 
out  the  country. 

SHERMAN  had  so  safeguarded  every  point  that  his  house  had 
not  only  large  cash  balances  in  safe  banks,  but  held  other  excel 
lent  assets.  Although  intimation  had  come  from  the  St.  Louis 
firm  that  money  was  tight,  the  fact  that  its  head  was  a  million 
aire  several  times  over  in  real  estate  allayed  what  otherwise 
might  have  aroused  anxiety.  The  surprise,  therefore,  was  all 
the  greater  when  the  newspapers  announced  that  the  house 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  157 

of  James  H.  Lucas  &  Co.,  of  vSt.  Louis,  had  suspended.  This 
intelligence  \vas  later  in  the  day  brought  to  his  attention 
authoritatively  by  the  firm,  together  with  instructions  to 
' '  make  proper  disposition  of  the  affairs  of  the  bank  and  come 
to  St.  Louis,"  bringing  with  him  such  assets  as  were  available 
there. 

When  he  left  New  York  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  feeling 
that  no  one  had  lost  a  dollar  by  either  of  the  concerns  over 
which  he  had  had  charge  on  either  coast. 

At  the  request  of  the  senior  member  of  the  firm,  who  had 
assumed  all  liabilities  and  released  his  partners  of  all  responsi 
bility,  Mr.  SHERMAN  agreed  to  return  to  San  Francisco  and 
bring  matters  there  to  a  final  settlement.  On  January  5,  1858, 
he  sailed  from  New  York,  and  reached  his  destination  on  the 
28th.  Two  days  later  he  gave  public  notice  of  the  dissolution 
of  partnership,  and  called  upon  all  persons  indebted  to  the  late 
firm  of  Lucas,  Turner  &  Co.  to  pa>r  up  or  their  notes  would  be 
sold  at  auction.  These,  including  real  estate,  amounted  to 
$200,000.  By  July  3,  having  reached  a  satisfactory  conclusion 
of  his  efforts,  he  departed,  and  on  the  28th  was  with  his  family 
in  Ohio  and  out  of  business. 

The  high  respect  in  which  he  was  held  by  his  former  partners 
caused  them  to  make  to  him  flattering  offers  of  assistance  to 
business,  but  these  he  declined. 

ATTORNEY    AT    LAW. 

[1S59.] 

His  father-in-law,  being  a  large  holder  of  land  near  Leaven- 
worth,  Kans.,  made  him  general  manager.     Two  sons,  already 
established  there  in  the  practice  of  law,  offered  him  a  place  in 
the    firm.      On    Septeml>er    i    Sherman    &    Ewing    announced 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 II 


158  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

themselves  ready  for  business,  the  senior  member  to  look  after 
collections  and  have  charge  of  agencies  for  houses  and  lands, 
while  the  junior  would  attend  to  all  business  in  court. 

During  his  military  reading  SHERMAN  had  ' '  booked  up ' '  on 
Blackstone,  Kent,  Sharkie,  and  other  authors.  Thinking  it 
best  to  take  out  a  "license,"'  he  made  application,  which  was 
granted  on  the  ground  of  "general  intelligence." 

The  firm  had  their  share  of  what  wras  going,  but  SHERMAN'S 
most  paying  single  case,  and  more  in  line  with  his  military 
training,  was  in  superintending  the  repair  of  the  military  road 
at  Fort  Riley,  about  136  miles  west  of  Fort  Leavenworth. 

This  was  his  second  association  with  a  road  route  toward  the 
Pacific,  first  in  the  Sierra  Nevada  Range  and  now  on  the  eastern 
border  of  the  Great  Plains,  which  would  be  the  initial  point  in 
the  heart  of  the  continent. 

On  January  i,  1859,  Daniel  McCook  was  admitted  to  the 
firm,  which  took  the  name  of  Sherman,  Ewing  &  McCook. 
Their  business  continued  to  grow,  but  the  resources  of  their 
surroundings  were  not  sufficiently  great  to  compensate  for  their 
time  and  labors.  Therefore  SHERMAN  undertook  the  opening 
of  a  farm  on  a  large  tract  belonging  to  his  father-in-law  on 
Indian  Creek,  40  miles  west  of  I/eaven worth,  for  the  benefit  of 
a  grandnephew  and  niece  who  arrived  in  the  spring.  As  a 
farmer  SHERMAN  achieved  the  same  success  he  had  already 
won  as  a  ranger  in  Florida,  a  garrison  officer,  adjudicator  of 
military  accounts  in  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  and  Alabama,  a 
commissary  at  St.  Louis  and  New  Orleans,  a  banker  and  pro 
moter  in  California,  a  broker  on  Wall  street,  and  a  lawyer  at 
Leaven  worth.  During  the  winter  he  had  built  a  farmhouse  and 
barn  and  had  broken  and  fenced  100  acres  of  land.  All  the 
young  couple  had  to  do  was  to  go  to  work. 


Skcrman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  159 

SUPERINTENDENT   OF   A    MILITARY   COLLEGE. 
[lK,»tt-60.] 

But  life  in  this  sphere  evidently  was  not  congenial.  On 
June  ii,  1859,  SHERMAN,  longing  once  more  for  army  service, 
wrote  to  the  War  Department  at  Washington,  inquiring  as  to 
a  vacancy  among  the  army  paymasters,  or  anything  else  in 
that  line.  He  received  a  prompt  reply,  inclosing  a  printed  cir 
cular  of  a  military  college  alxnit  to  be  organized  in  Louisiana, 
and  advising  him  to  apply.  He  at  once  communicated  with  the 
governor.  In  the  meantime,  having  closed  up  his  affairs  at 
Lea ven worth,  he  returned  to  Lancaster.  In  midsummer  he 
received  a  response  announcing  his  election  as  superintendent 
of  the  proposed  "seminary  of  learning,"  and  inviting  him  to 
come  on  as  soon  as  practicable,  as  it  was  proposed  to  open  the 
institution  on  January  i  following. 

Accordingly,  leaving  his  family  at  Lancaster,  the  superin 
tendent-elect,  after  a  conference  at  Baton  Rouge  with  the 
governor,  proceeded  to  Alexandria,  in  Rapides  Parish,  on  the 
Red  River,  the  site  of  the  new  institution.  With  his  usual 
faculty  of  organi/.ation,  the  superintendent  went  about  getting 
the  preliminaries  under  way.  The  estate  comprised  400  acres 
of  fine  land  and  several  large  new  buildings  partly  completed. 
Imagine  one  of  the  two  Union  military  leaders  of  the  civil  war 
superintending  four  rustic  carpenters  throwing  together  mess- 
tables,  benches,  blackboards,  bricks,  etc. ,  of  rough  material  for 
a  proposed  military  academy  in  the  later  seceding  State  of 
Louisiana. 

On  August  2  the  board  of  supervisors  formally  selected  the 
academic  staff,  WILLIAM  T.  SHERMAN  heading  the  list  as 
"superintendent  and  professor  of  engineering,  etc." 

It  is  not  necessary  to  go  into  particulars  further  than  to  say 


160  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

that  through  the  energy  of  the  superintendent  the  Louisiana 
"Seminary  of  Learning  and  Military  Academy"  opened  on 
time,  New  Year's  Day  of  1860,  one  of  the  most  portentous  years 
in  the  history  of  the  nation  of  American  Commonwealths. 

The  institution,  among  other  sources  of  principal  and  income, 
had  been  made  the  recipient  of  a  grant  by  Congress  of  a  "  cer 
tain  township  of  public  lands  "  to  be  sold  by  the  State  of  Loui 
siana  and  dedicated  to  the  use  of  a  "  seminary  of  learning. ' ' 
To  the  extent  of  this  chief  bulk  of  its  principal  it  was  the  bene 
ficiary  of  the  liberality  of  the  National  Government. 

The  superintendent  had  his  hands  full  with  purchasing  mat 
tresses,  books,  and  all  the  necessary  furniture  and  equipment  of 
the  place,  keeping  the  money  accounts,  directing  the  steward 
as  to  the  purchase  and  issue  of  provender,  instructing  the  pro 
fessors  as  to  the  curriculum,  and  ordering  the  cadets  as  to  their 
duties,  studies,  and  military  exercises. 

The  first  term  brought  together  73  cadets,  representing  the 
best  families  of  Louisiana  and  other  States  of  the  South. 

In  the  performance  of  his  duties  the  superintendent  found  it 
necessary  to  spend  some  time  at  Baton  Rouge  during  the  ses 
sion  of  the  legislature  in  order  to  secure  additional  legislation 
for  the  advancement  of  the  interests  of  the  college.  Under  a 
bill  approved  March  7,  1860,  the  "seminary"  was  created  a 
State  arsenal  (central),  with  W.  T.  SHERMAN  as  superintendent. 

AN    EMBARRASSING    SITUATION. 

[I860.] 

At  this  time  matters  began  to  show  signs  of  "unpleasant 
ness,"  if  not  acrimony,  in  the  South  against  the  North.  Super 
intendent  SHERMAN'S  brother  was  a  candidate  for  Speaker  of 
the  House  of  Representatives  at  Washington  against  Bocock, 
of  Virginia.  In  the  South,  generally,  the  Republican  candi 
date  was  denounced  as  an  abolitionist,  and  as  a  consequence 


Shrrnian:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  161 

aroused  some  suspicion  that  the  superintendent  of  a  Louisiana 
State  institution  might  l>e  "tarred"  with  the  same  stick. 
Therefore  widespread  was  the  agitation  of  the  propriety  of  his 
continuance  in  his  place. 

To  the  credit  of  SHKRMAN'S  marvelous  tact,  in  the  midst  of 
these  embarrassing  surroundings  he  had  Income  widely  known 
for  his  manly  character  and  was  esteemed  by  those  with  whom 
he  had  business  relations.  His  greatest  danger  lay  among 
meml>ers  of  the  legislature,  many  of  whom  he  had  never  met 
and  whose  judgment  was  based  upon  the  wildest  tales  of  hear 
say  and  prejudice. 

The  matter  finally  and  fortunately  culminated  at  the  dinner 
table  of  the  governor,  where  a  large  party  of  State  officials  and 
legislators  was  gathered. 

On  this  subject  the  superintendent  himself  speaks  in  giving 
an  account  of  this  interesting  and  pregnant  incident. 

After  some  spirited  side  discussion,  in  which  the  relation 
1  x;t ween  the  superintendent  and  the  candidate  for  Speaker  was 
under  consideration,  the  governor,  in  the  kindest  terms,  address 
ing  the  former,  said: 

Colonel  SHERMAN,  you  can  readily  understand  that  with  your  brother, 
the  Abolitionist  candidate  for  Speaker,  some  of  our  j>eople  wonder  that 
you  should  be  here  at  the  head  of  an  important  State  institution.  Now, 
you  are  at  my  table  and  I  assure  you  of  my  confidence.  Won't  you  speak 
your  mind  freely  on  this  question  of  slavery  that  so  agitates  the  land  ? 
You  are  under  my  roof,  and  whatever  you  say  you  have  my  protection. 

It  was  a  history-making  moment.  Addressing  his  remarks 
to  the  author  of  the  inquiry: 

Governor  Moore,  you  mistake  in  calling  my  brother,  John  Sherman,  an 
Abolitionist.  We  have  been  separated  since  childhood,  and  it  is  possible 
we  may  differ  in  general  sentiment,  but  I  deny  that  he  is  considered  at 
home  an  Abolitionist,  and  although  he  prefers  the  free  institutions  under 
which  he  lives  to  those  of  slavery  which  prevail  here,  he  would  not  of 
himself  take  from  you  by  law  or  force  any  property  whatever,  even  slaves. 


1 62  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

These  manly  utterances  led  to  a  further  request  from  the, 
governor  to  give  his  guests  his  own  views  of  slavery  as  he  saw 
it  around  him  and  throughout  the  South. 

To  which  Colonel  SHERMAN  replied: 

That  the  people  of  Louisiana  were  hardly  responsible  for  slavery,  as  they 
had  inherited  it.  That  domestic  slaves,  employed  by  families,  were  better 
treated  than  any  slaves  on  earth,  but  in  the  case  of  field  hands  treatment 
depended  on  the  temper  and  disposition  of  master  and  overseer.  ' '  Were 
I  a  citizen  of  Louisiana,"  he  continued,  "  and  a  member  of  the  legislature, 
I  would  deem  it  wise  to  bring  the  legal  condition  of  the  slaves  more  near 
the  status  of  human  beings  under  all  Christian  and  civilized  governments." 

His  words  met  with  the  closest  attention  and  evidently 
approval,  for  at  their  height  one  of  his  auditors,  bringing  his 
fist  down  upon  the  table,  shouted,  "  By  God,  he  is  right !  " 

The  discussion  was  prolonged,  but  no  one  was  in  the  dark 
about  the  position  of  the  superintendent  of  the  ' '  seminary  of 
learning"  on  the  question  of  slavery.  The  institution  now 
went  along  swimmingly,  and  wound  up  the  academic  year  on 
the  last  days  of  July  with  a  grand  ball. 

The  professors  and  cadets  separated  with  the  best  of  feeling 
and  an  understanding  that  they  would  reassemble  on  the  ist 
day  of  the  following  November.  The  summer  was  passed  by 
the  superintendent  in  the  purchase  of  uniforms,  clothing,  text 
books,  and  other  requisites,  in  New  York,  a  trip  to  Washing 
ton  to  secure  200  muskets  and  equipments  complete  for  the  use 
of  the  academy,  and  a  sojourn  during  the  remainder  of  his 
"vacation"  with  his  family. 

Upon  his  return  to  his  post,  leaving  his  family  in  Ohio  to 
await  the  completion  of  the  building  designed  for  his  use,  he 
threw  his  whole  energy  into  his  work,  apparently  oblivious  of 
the  impending  storm. 

Upon  the  opening  of  the  term  of  1 860-61,  130  cadets 
reported,  another  tribute  to  the  confidence  and  efficiency  of  the 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  163 

superintendent.  Among  them  were  two  sous  of  Major  Beaure- 
gard,  a  few  months  later  conspicuous  for  his  command  of  the 
batteries  against  Fort  Sumter  in  the  first  overt  act  of  insurrec 
tion  against  the  Union. 

Although  the  country  was  in  the  agony  of  a  relentless 
national  campaign,  distinctively  drawn  on  sectional  lines, 
Superintendent  SHERMAN  went  on  in  his  usual  routine,  attend 
ing  to  his  own  business.  The  only  incident  out  of  the  ordinary 
course  was  a  notification  sent  to  him  on  the  day  of  the  election 
that  it  would  be  advisable  to  vote  for  Bell  and  Everett,  which 
he  openly  declined  to  do. 

The  fateful  day  came  and  Abraham  Lincoln  was  elected. 
The  announcement,  says  SHKRMAN,  fell  among  the  people  of 
the  South  like  a  bolt  out  of  a  clear  sky.  Secession  was  openly 
and  heatedly  discussed,  but  no  one  ever  approached  him  offen 
sively  to  ascertain  his  views  nor  ever  tried  to  persuade  him 
against  his  convictions.  His  opinion  ' '  that  secession  was 
treason — was  war"  was  well  known;  also  that  "the  North  and 
West  would  never  permit  the  Mississippi  River  and  particularly 
its  outlet  to  the  sea  to  pass  out  of  their  control." 

The  annual  message  of  President  Buchanan,  among  other 
doctrines  promulgated,  that  the  General  Government  had  no 
constitutional  power  to  "coerce  a  State"  was  naturally  fol 
lowed  without  further  to-do  by  the  secession  of  South  Carolina, 
which  opened  the  ball. 

STANDS    BOLDLY    FOR    THE    FLAG. 

[1861.] 

In  January,  1861,  SHERMAN  witnessed  in  helpless  indigna 
tion,  under  orders  recognized  from  the  two  United  States  Sena 
tors  from  Louisiana,  the  seizure  of  the  United  States  forts  at 


164  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi  and  L,ake  Pontchartrain  and  the 
United  States  arsenal. 

The  forts  were  without  garrisons,  but  the  arsenal  was  held 
by  a  guard  of  40  United  States  soldiers  under  a  captain  who 
might  have  put  up  a  stiff  defense.  In  commenting  on  this 
affair,  Colonel  SHERMAN  insisted  that  it  was  the  officer's  duty 
to  have  defended  the  post  to  the  death,  but — 

up  to  that  time  [said  he]  the  national  authorities  at  Washington  had 
shown  such  pusillanimity  that  the  officers  of  the  Army  knew  not  what 
to  do. 

The  arms  were  scattered,  2,000  muskets,  300  jager  rifles,  and 
a  large  amount  of  cartridges  and  ammunition  being  consigned 
to  the  State  central  arsenal,  where,  as  superintendent  (as  he 
said  in  after  years),  he  was  ordered  to  receipt  for  them,  thereby 
being  made  the  receiver  of  stolen  goods  and  these  the  property 
of  the  United  States. 

The  events  which  now  followed  in  rapid  succession  were  not 
unexpected;  therefore  he  adapted  his  course  to  the  inevitable 
by  anticipation. 

The  State  of  Louisiana  seceded  early  in  1861.  After  the 
seizAire  of  the  arsenal  and  before  the  severance  of  the  State 
from  the  Federal  Union,  Superintendent  SHERMAN  sent  a  public 
communication  to  the  governor  indicating  his  perfect  under 
standing  of  the  quasi-military  position  he  occupied  under  the 
laws  of  the  State,  a  position  he  accepted  when  Louisiana  was  a 
member  of  the  Union  and  when  the  motto  over  the  main  door 
of  "this  seminary"  read  "By  the  liberality  of  the  General 
Government  of  the  United  States,  the  Union — esto  perpetua. " 

Recent  events  [he  added]  foreshadow  a  great  change,  and  it  becomes 
all  men  to  choose.  If  Louisiana  withdraw  from  the  Federal  Union,  I  pre 
fer  to  maintain  my  allegiance  to  the  Constitution  as  long  as  a  fragment 
of  it  survives,  and  my  longer  stay  here  would  be  wrong  in  every  sense  of 
the  word. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Skcfcli.  165 

DEPARTS    WITH    HONOR. 

He  further  asked,  in  event  of  the  secession  of  the  State,  an 
agent  be  sent  to  take  charge  of  its  anns  and  ammunition. 
Also  to  l>e  relieved  as  superintendent  — 

for  on  no  earthlv  account  will  I  do  any  act  or  think  any  thought  hostile 
to  or  in  defiance  of  the  old  Government  of  the  United  States. 

At  the  same  time  he  sent  the  governor  a  private  letter 
explanatory  of  his  views,  which  he  had  made  known  to  his 
friends,  setting  forth  with  greater  emphasis  and  detail  his 
position,  giving  his  opinion  that  "if  this  people  can  not  execute 
a  form  of  government  like  the  present,  a  worse  one  will  result.  " 

To  the  last  moment  he  had  a  thought  of  the  best  interests  of 
UK-  institution,  apart  from  the  unfortunate  supervening  polit 
ical  conditions,  modestly  asserting: 

In  time  some  gentleman  will  turn  up  l>etter  qualified  than  I  am  to  carry 
on  the  seminary  to  its  ultimate  point  of  success. 

On  the  day  following,  in  a  lengthy  letter  to  the  president  of 
the  board  of  supervisors,  he  announced  the  closing  up  of  his 
business  with  the  institution  and  that  he  had  written  the  gov 
ernor  officially  and  unofficially,  and  boldly  asserted — 

with  my  opinions  of  the  claimed  right  of  secession,  of  the  seizure  of  public 
forts,  arsenals,  etc.,  and  the  ignominious  capture  of  a  United  States  garri 
son  stationed  in  your  midst  as  a  guard  to  the  arsenal  and  for  the  protection 
of  your  own  people,  it  would  he  highly  improper  for  me  longer  to  remain. 

\Vith  this  matters  were  closed  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  con 
cerned. 

About  five  days  later  Colonel  SHERMAN  received  a  reply 
"  with  the  deepest  regret,"  giving  directions  as  to  turning  over 
arms,  funds,  etc.,  and  closing: 

You  can  not  regret  more  than  I  do  the  necessity  which  deprives  us  of 
your  services,  and  you  will  1>ear  with  you  the  respect,  confidence,  and 
admiration  of  all  who  have  been  associated  with  vou. 


1 66  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

On  February  i  Colonel  SHERMAN,  with  an  evident  sense  of 
relief,  replied: 

Now  that  I  can  not  be  compromised  by  political  events,  I  will  so  shape 
my  course  as  best  to  serve  the  institution  which  has  a  strong  hold  on  my 
affections  and  respect. 

He  also  offered  to  cooperate  in  placing  matters  011  a  safe  and 
secure  basis. 

The  president  of  the  board,  in  a  letter  of  January  28,  went  so 
far  as  to  say  in  a  postscript: 

Governor  Moore  desires  me  to  express  his  profound  regret  that  the  State 
is  about  to  lose  one  whom  we  all  fondly  hoped  had  cast  his  destinies  for 
weal  or  woe  among  us,  and  that  he  is  sensible  that  we  lose  thereby  an 
officer  whom  it  will  be  difficult  if  not  impossible  to  replace. 

On  February  14,  the  board  of  supervisors  passed  resolutions 
of  thanks  for  the  "able  and  efficient"  manner  in  which  he  had 
conducted  the  affairs  of  the  institution  and  accepted  his  resig 
nation  with  ' '  assurances  of  high  personal  regard  ' '  and  ' '  sincere 
regret  at  the  occurrence  of  causes  that  render  it  necessary  to 
part  with  so  esteemed  and  valued  a  friend  as  wTell  as  colaborer 
in  the  cause  of  education." 

The  academic  board  on  April  i  also  passed  a  resolution  of 
regret  which  strikes  even  nearer  the  man,  in  words: 

They  can  not  fail  to  appreciate  the  manliness  of  character  which  has 
always  marked  the  actions  of  Colonel  SHERMAN.  While  he  is  endeared 
to  many  of  them  as  a  friend,  they  consider  it  their  high  pleasure  to  tender 
to  him  in  this  resolution  their  regret  on  his  separation  and  their  sincere 
wish  for  his  future  welfare. 

In  a  fiscal  point  of  view  the  sacrifice,  calculated  in  coin,  was 
great,  but  the  devotion  to  principle  was  beyond  coin  or  calcu 
lation.  The  revenue  of  the  position  aggregated  $4,500 — as 
professor,  $2,500;  superintendent,  $1,000;  treasurer,  $500;  su 
perintendent  of  the  arsenal,  $500. 

During  the  secession  of  the  seven  cotton  States,  and  at  the 
time  of  the  inauguration  of  the  President  and  Vice- President 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  167 

of  the  so-called  "Confederate  States  of  America,"  February  18, 
Colonel  SHERMAN  was  in  New  Orleans  closing  up  his  financial 
affairs. 

In  his  Memoirs  he  recounts  an  amusing  experience  at  the 
tea  table  in  a  hotel  in  that  city.  Colonel  Bragg,  who  won 
fame  in  the  Mexican  war,  was  speaking  of  General  Beaure- 
gard's  promotion,  when  Mrs.  Bragg  remarked  to  Colonel 
SHKRMAX:  "You  know  that  my  husband  is  not  a  favorite 
with  the  new  President." 

The  name  of  Lincoln  being  uppermost  in  his  thoughts, 
SHKRMAX  replied  that  he  was  not  aware  that  Colonel  Bragg 
had  ever  met  Mr.  Lincoln,  whereupon  the  lofty  dame  gave  the 
retort:  "I  did  not  mean  your  President,  but  our  President." 

The  surrender  by  General  Twiggs  of  his  entire  command  in 
the  Department  of  Texas,  with  all  the  military  stores,  to  State 
troops  was  the  first  great  event  which  impressed  upon  SHKR 
MAX  a  keen  sense  of  the  expanding  seriousness  of  the  drama 
about  to  commence. 

In  New  Orleans  business  seemed  to  lie  undisturbed.  Ships 
and  steamboats  were  engaged  in  their  usual  commercial  opera 
tions.  The  only  marked  difference  was  the  Pelican  flag,  instead 
of  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  waving  over  the  national,  State 
and  municipal  buildings.  On  the  levee  every  flag  on  earth 
was  visible  except  that  of  the  free  nation  which  it  was  proposed 
to  destroy. 

On  the  25th  day  of  February,  1861,  WILUAM  T.  SHERMAN, 
again  a  citizen  of  leisure,  took  his  departure  from  these  scenes, 
proceeding  to  his  home  at  Lancaster,  thus  closing  the  fourth 
stage  of  his  already  remarkable  career.  On  his  way  north  he 
kept  his  eyes  about  him.  He  found  the  people  of  the  South 
defiant  and  organized  for  armed  resistance  to  an  imagined 
encroachment  upon  their  rights  as  States  and  individuals  in 


1 68  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

the  matter  of  slavery.  In  Illinois,  Indiana,  and  Ohio,  through 
which  he  passed,  he  was  alarmed  at  the  utter  failure  to  realize 
the  magnitude  or  even  the  premonitory  indications  of  the 
conflict  so  near  at  hand. 

PRESIDENT    OF   A    STREET    RAILROAD — FOREBODINGS    MET 
WITH    DERISION. 

At  his  home  he  found  letters  from  his  brother  to  come  to 
Washington;  also  from  his  friend  Major  Turner,  of  St.  Louis, 
tendering  him  the  presidency  of  the  Fifth  Street  Railroad,  of 
that  city.  To  this  letter  he  made  immediate  answer,  accepting 
the  proffer,  and  departed  for  Washington,  it  being  earl}-  in 
March. 

The  Republican  President  had  been  inaugurated.  Represent 
ative  John  Sherman  had  been  appointed  to  the  United  States 
Senate  in  place  of  Salmon  P.  Chase,  who  had  been  nominated 
to  the  portfolio  of  the  Treasury. 

The  observant  SHERMAN  was  quick  to  notice  that  the  same 
apathy  met  in  the  West  existed  in  Washington.  It  is  quite 
apparent  at  this  period  had  there  been  men  of  SHERMAN'S 
foresight,  promptness,  and  action  at  the  helm  of  political  and 
military  affairs  there  would  have  been  little  if  any  war. 

The  very  indifference  to  the  situation,  so  palpable,  encouraged 
by  cumulative  degrees  the  temerity  of  the  southern  chiefs.  To 
make  rebellion  more  flagrant,  Senators  and  Representatives  in 
Congress  took  particular  pains  to  bandy  threats  of  secession 
under  the  very  noses  of  their  northern  colleagues  as  valedictories 
upon  the  floor  prior  to  their  departure  to  unite  with  the  gov 
ernment  and  congress  of  the  Confederacy  at  Montgomery,  Ala. 

A  climax  to  Colonel  SHERMAN'S  amazement  transpired  in  a 
call  with  his  brother  upon  the  President.  The  colonel  gives 
the  narrative  himself: 


S/irnnaii:  .  I  Memorial  Sketch.  169 

"Mr.  President,"  Senator  Sherman  speaking,  "this  is  my 
brother.  Colonel  SHKRMAN,  \vhois  just  up  from  Louisiana.  'He 
may  give  you  some  information  you  want." 

"Aha,"  responded  the  President,  "how  are  they  getting 
along  down  there?" 

"  I  think  they  are  preparing  for  war." 

"O,  well,"  retorted  the  President,  "I  guess  we  will  manage 
to  keep  house." 

To  use  Colonel  SHERMAN'S  own  words,  "I  was  silenced, 
said  no  more,  and  soon  left." 

On  his  way  to  the  Capitol  the  Colonel,  pointing  out  to  his 
brother  the  appalling  danger  to  the  Union,  perorated,  using 
his  own  words: 

You  have  got  things  in  a  hell  of  a  fix,  and  you  may  get  them  out  as  best 
you  can.  I  am  going  to  St.  Louis  and  shall  have  no  more  to  do  with  it. 

At  Lancaster  he  found  letters  from  his  St.  Louis  friends. 
He  saw  the  storm;  he  had  sounded  the  warning;  he  had  been 
treated  almost  with  derision.  Much  as  his  heart  ached  for  his 
country,  he  felt  that  he  could  live  if  the  Union  could  not. 

Col.  WILLIAM  T.  SHERMAN  was  elected  president  of  the 
Fifth  Street  Railroad,  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  on  March  27,  1861, 
and  took  charge  on  the  ist  day  of  the  month  following. 

Thus  we  find  SHKRMAN,  surrounded  by  the  alarms  of  war, 
practically  rejected  in  the  profession  of  arms  for  the  protection 
of  his  country  and  entering  with  his  accustomed  energy  into 
the  peaceful  duties  of  running  a  street  railroad  in  a  city  then 
of  wavering  loyalty. 

Nearly  all  the  talk  was  secession  and  war.  A  rebel  camp 
(Jackson)  had  been  formed.  To  resist  the  swelling  sentiment 
were  six  companies  at  the  United  States  Arsenal. 

The  German  portion  of  the  population,  faithful  to  the  Gov 
ernment  of  their  adoption,  proffered  their  services  almost  en 


170  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

masse  and  were  organized  into  four  regiments  of  ' '  Home 
Guards."  The  affairs  of  the  Unionists  were  represented  by 
Montgomery  Blair  in  the  Cabinet  at  Washington  and  by  Frank 
P.  Blair,  his  brother,  and  others  in  St.  Louis.  Colonel  SHER 
MAN,  who  closely  watched  every  movement,  spent  what  time 
he  had  from  his  railroad  duties  at  the  arsenal,  being  constantly 
in  touch  with  the  officers  in  charge.  He  found  them  making 
every  preparation  for  defense  of  the  place  and  even  forming  for 
offense.  The  bombardment  and  surrender  of  Fort  Sumter 
April  12-14  was  the  first  note  of  real  war.  The  border  States, 
except  Kentucky  and  Missouri,  followed  in  the  secession  move 
ment  of  their  cotton  neighbors. 

CIVIL   OFFICE    DECLINED — TENDERS   HIS   SERVICES. 

On  April  6  Postmaster-General  Blair  tendered  Colonel  SHER 
MAN  the  chief  clerkship  of  the  Department  of  War,  with  the 
promise  of  promotion  to  Assistant  Secretary  as  soon  as  Con 
gress  met,  to  which  the  Colonel  wired  back,  "I  can  not 
accept,"  following  that  laconic  reply  with  an  explanatory  let 
ter.  The  Cabinet  took  umbrage  at  his  plainness  of  speech, 
particularly  in  wishing  ' '  the  Administration  all  success  in  its 
almost  impossible  task  of  governing  this  distracted  and  anar 
chical  country."  The  ire  thus  aroused  even  went  so  far 
among  some  members  as  to  cause  them  to  insinuate  SHERMAN, 
"too,  would  prove  false  to  the  country." 

The  estimate  of  SHERMAN  as  an  interpreter  of  events  was 
not  so  at  St.  Louis . 

Immediately  after  the  capture  of  Sumter  Gen.  Frank  P. 
Blair  sent  for  him,  desiring  a  conference.  Hastening  to  com 
ply,  Mr.  Blair  intimated  that  the  Government  being  mistrust 
ful  of  the  position  of  the  general  commanding  that  military 
department,  he  was  authorized  to  make  him  a 'tender  of  the 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  171 

post,  with   the  rank  of  brigadier-general.     The  colonel,  evi 
dently  nettled  over  his  previous  treatment,  replied: 

I  once  offered  my  services  and  they  were  rejected.  I  have  since  made 
business  engagements  in  St.  Louis  and  therefore  must  respectfully  decline 
the  offer. 

The  refusal  was  a  surprise,  as  men  of  prominence  were  clam 
oring  for  places  for  which  they  were  notoriously  unfit.  Here 
was  a  man  eminently  qualified  who  spurned  the  offer.  The  en 
tire  management  of  Government  interests  with  every  promise  of 
freedom  of  action  and  support  failed  to  move  him,  not  even  the 
covert  threat  that  if  he  did  not  accept  the  command  would  be 
given  to  another,  who  proved  to  be  Capt.  Nathaniel  Lyon,  his 
army  friend  in  charge  at  the  arsenal.  This  refusal  again  set 
the  tongue  of  suspicion  in  motion.  His  attitude  was  ques 
tioned.  The  loyalty  of  his  written  utterances  in  the  very  hot- 
l>ed  of  disloyalty  and  secession  in  Louisiana  needed  no  further 
patent  of  fealty  to  the  Union. 

That  there  should  be  no  mistake  on  that  point,  on  May  8, 
1 86 1,  he  addressed  the  Secretary  of  War,  in  part  and  to  the 
point: 

I  hold  myself  now,  as  always,  prepared  to  serve  my  country  in  the  ca 
pacity  for  which  I  was  trained.  I  will  not  enroll  for  three  months,  but 
will  for  three  years,  as  an  officer  can  then  prepare  his  command  and  do 
good  service.  Should  my  services  be  needed  the  records  of  the  War  De 
partment  will  enable  you  to  designate  the  station  in  which  I  can  render 
most  service. 

On  the  day  after,  at  the  arsenal,  he  witnessed  four  regiments 
of  "Home  Guards"  receiving  cartridges,  and  Lyon,  a  man  of 
"vehement  purpose  and  determined  action,"  bestirring  himself 
preparatory  to  a  decisive  step. 

On  the  day  following  the  "  Dutch,"  as  the  "  Home  Guards  " 
were  derisively  called,  moved  on  "Camp  Jackson,"  capturing 
it  in  its  entirety,  nipping  in  the  bud  the  secession  movement  in 
Missouri. 


172  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

A  few  days  later  he  was  again  urged  to  come  to  Washington. 
His  substantial  friends,  Lucas,  Turner,  and  others  in  St.  Louis, 
urged  him  to  comply. 

This  time  he  found  a  radically  changed  state  of  affairs.  The 
Government  was  waking  up  to  the  situation.  The  President 
had  authorized  the  organization  of  ten  new  regiments  of  regu 
lar  infantry,  and  by  proclamation  had  called  for  75,000  State 
volunteers. 

COLONEL  THIRTEENTH  u.  s.  INFANTRY. 

On  the  1 4th  of  May,  1861,  Colonel  SHERMAN  received  notice 
of  his  appointment  as  colonel  of  the  Thirteenth  U.  S.  Infantry. 
After  taking  the  oath  he  received  orders  to  report  to  Lieutenant- 
General  Scott,  then  in  chief  command  in  Washington:  He 
had  applied  for  permission  to  go  to  Jefferson  Barracks,  St.  Louis, 
to  raise  and  organize  his  regiment.  The  lieutenant-colonel, 
however,  being  competent  for  that  duty,  General  Scott  pre 
ferred  to  have  him  at  headquarters,  and  therefore  assigned  him, 
June  20,  to  inspection  duty.  Under  these  orders  the  colonel 
directed  his  family  to  return  to  Lancaster  and  "trust  to  the 
fate  of  war."  He  also  resigned  his  railroad  presidency  and 
began  anew  the  career  for  which  by  genius  and  training  he  was 
so  conspicuously  fitted.  A  large  body  of  volunteers  from  the 
Northern  and  Western  States  had  reached  the  national  capital, 
relieving  it  from  immediate  danger  of  an  attack. 

These  forces  were  mobilized  in  two  divisions,  one  garrisoning 
the  city,  the  other  occupying  the  chain  of  forts  and  intrench- 
ments  being  constructed  in  a  semicircle  on  the  Virginia  hills 
from  above  Georgetown  to  Alexandria,  about  12  miles  below. 

Another  large  force  of  three  months'  volunteers  had  been 
raised  in  Pennsylvania  under  Major-Generals  Patterson  and 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  173 

Keini.  The  former  was  advanced  toward  \Villiamsport,  at 
which  point  it  crossed  the  Potomac  on  the  first  days  of  July. 
The  other  was  encamped  at  Chambersburg,  near  the  Pennsyl 
vania  border.  While  this  force  was  on  the  inarch  Colonel 
SHKRMAX  visited  his  brother  John,  who  was  acting  as  aid  on 
General  Patterson's  staff.  The  tendency  everywhere  was  to 
make  light  of  the  contest  and  its  probable  duration,  regarding 
it  as  a  sort  of  a  bluff  game  in  which  a  told  stand  by  the  Gov 
ernment  would  force  the  South  to  a  compromise.  These  were 
two  positions  at  complete  variance  to  the  views  of  SHERMAN. 

On  July  4  Congress  met  in  extra  session.  The  Sherman 
brothers  returned  to  Washington.  The  military  career  of  John 
terminated  by  taking  his  seat  in  the  Senate,  and  that  of  Wil 
liam  was  resumed,  preparing  for  the  movements  which  culmi 
nated  at  Bull  Run. 

The  message  of  President  Lincoln,  recognizing  civil  war 
upon  the  country,  and  declaring  all  thought  of  compromise  at 
an  end,  also  calling  for  volunteers  and  money  for  the  reestab- 
lishment  of  national  authority  and  regaining  possession  of 
public  property,  was  a  just  cause  for  self-gratulation  with 
SHERMAN,  and  these  propositions  were  in  accord  with  his  utter 
ances  ever  since  his  arrival  at  the  north  from  Louisiana. 

His  inspection  duty  with  General  Scott  lasted  ten  days. 
During  that  time  he  s*hared  in  the  common  annoyance  and 
embarrassment  of  the  universal  clamor  of  the  press  and  people, 
"On  to  Richmond."  These  shouters  failed  to  understand 
what  it  required  to  mobilize  and  equip  a  motley  mass  of  men 
in  all  sorts  of  uniforms  with  every  cali1>er  weapon.  To  this 
General  SHERMAN  in  after  years  made  mention  of  the  addi 
tional  interference  in  matters,  details,  and  discipline. 

Although  advanced  in  years,  being  upward  of  70,  General 
S.  Doc.  320,  5&-2 12 


174  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

Scott's  complete  command  of  the  situation,  his  skill  in  plan 
ning,  and  his  vigor  and  determination  were  sustained  by  the 
views  of  SHERMAN. 

BRIGADIER-GENERAL — BULL    RUN. 

On  May  17,  1861,  Colonel  SHERMAN  was  advanced  to  briga 
dier-general  of  volunteers  and  assigned  to  command  of  a  brigade 
in  the  Department  of  Northeastern  Virginia  and  the  defenses  of 
Washington,  upon  which  duty  he  served  from  July  15  to 
August  28  of  the  same  year. 

On  June  30,  in  the  organization  of  General  McDowell's  army, 
he  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  Gen.  David  Hunter's  bri 
gade,  that  officer  having  been  transferred  to  the  command  of 
the  Second  Division. 

This  brigade  was  composed  of  the  Thirteenth  (Quinby), 
Sixty-ninth  (Irish)  (Corcoran),  and  Seventy-ninth  (Highland) 
(Cameron)  New  York  and  the  Second  (Peck)  Wisconsin  Regi 
ments  of  Volunteers,  and  Ayres  battery,  Company  E,  Third 
U.  S.  Artillery.  These  regiments  he  took  into  the  field.  The 
Twenty-ninth  (Bennett)  New  York  was  left  as  guard  at  the 
fort  (Corcoran).  The  brigade  (Third)  of  the  First  Division 
(Tyler)  occupied  Fort  Corcoran  and  defenses  opposite  George 
town,  D.  C. 

By  July  4  two  bodies  of  the  enemy  were  in  the  field.  One,  in 
front  of  Washington,  at  Manassas  Junction,  advanced  toward 
Fairfax  Court  House,  from  which  point  might  be  seen  the  Cap 
itol.  The  other,  at  Winchester,  advanced  toward  Martinsburg 
and  Harpers  Ferry.  The  former  held  its  position.  The  latter 
receded  before  Patterson's  advance  to  Martinsburg  and  the  line 
of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad. 

Against  the  best  military  judgment,  in  deference  to  the 
clamor  referred  to,  a  general  advance  was  ordered  by  McDowell 


Shennan:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  175 

from  the  defenses  of  Washington  and  Patterson  from  Martins- 
burg. 

On  July  15  the  entire  army  of  five  divisions  began  to  move, 
converging  toward  Centerville. 

On  the  1 8th  a  reconnoissance  to  Blackburn's  Ford  across 
Bull  Run,  without  orders  from  General  McDowell,  discovered 
the  enemy  in  position.  The  movement  having  been  checked  by 
the  enemy's  artillery,  SHERMAN  received  orders  to  support  the 
advance.  He  was  soon,  however,  directed  to  fall  back  to  Cen 
terville,  where  he  remained  in  camp  igth  and  2oth. 

These  tactical  operations  finally  resulted  in  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run  of  July  21. 

In  the  general  movement  SHERMAN'S  brigade  got  in  motion 
at  2  a.  in.  of  that  day,  third  in  column  of  the  First  Division,  and 
deployed  in  line  on  the  right  of  the  Warrenton  road,  in  which 
position  he  remained  until  10  a.  m.,  his  battery  meantime 
opening  on  the  enemy  without  effect,  being  out  of  range.  At 
noon,  having  received  orders  to  assist  Hunter,  SHERMAN  moved 
his  entire  force  across  Bull  Run,  pressing  toward  the  point 
where  the  Union  troops  were  at  that  time  victorious.  In  get 
ting  into  position  his  brigade  passed  Hunter's  division  and  fol 
lowed  Heintzelman's  command  along  the  road  to  Manassas 
Junction,  crossing  a  small  stream  and  ascending  to  the  summit, 
where  the  battle  was  raging. 

In  this  movement  he  encountered  a  body  of  the  enemy 
retreating,  which  he  engaged  and  pursued  toward  Sudly  Springs, 
where  they  made  another  stand.  In  the  movement  his  Wis 
consin  regiment,  uniformed  in  gray,  l)eing  mistaken  for  the 
enemy,  caused  much  confusion.  After  this  each  of  his  regi 
ments  went  into  action  successively,  to  be  in  turn  forced  back  by 
a  superior  force  now  concentrated  in  position  on  the  summit  of 
a  hill. 


176  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch, 

In  the  panic  which  unnecessarily  struck  the  Union  troops, 
SHERMAN,  having  re-formed  his  regiments,  found  his  brigade 
alone  on  the  field,  except  Sykes's  regulars,  who  were  in  square 
to  resist  cavalry.  Unable  to  bring  his  men  again  into  action 
owing  to  heavy  losses  and  practical  desertion  by  the  rest  of  the 
army,  at  3  p.  in.  he  withdrew  by  the  same  ford  (Blackburn's), 
having  several  times  formed  in  square,  which,  however,  broke 
"along  with  the  crowd,  disorganized,  but  not  very  much 
scared."  Having  received  orders  to  retreat  to  Centerville,  he 
moved  to  that  point,  where  it  was  proposed  to  make  a  stand, 
but  there  received  further  orders  from  his  division  commander 
(Tyler)  in  person  to  continue  to  the  Potomac,  in  doing  which 
he  experienced  great  difficulty  in  maintaining  his  organization. 

The  larger  part  of  his  brigade,  however,  returned  to  their  old 
camp,  where  SHERMAN  himself  arrived  the  next  day.  He  at 
once  stationed  strong  guards  at  the  Aqueduct  and  ferries  to  put 
a  stop  to  his  men  crossing  into  the  city.  After  this,  having 
restored  order,  he  began  regular  garrison  duty,  with  drills  and 
other  disciplining  routine.  In  the  battle  he  had  lost  1 1 1  men 
killed,  including  Lieutenant- Colonel  Haggerty,  of  the  Sixty- 
ninth,  205  wounded,  including  Colonel  Cameron,  of  the  Sevent^'- 
ninth,  mortally,  and  293  missing.  He  was  in  the  thickest  of 
the  fight  for  two  hours,  his  chief  loss  being  where  Rickett's 
batter}'  was  destroyed. 

The  general  of  after  years  often  recalled  the  affair  at  Black- 
burns  Ford  as  the  first  time  he  had  seen  cannon  ball  strike 
men  and  fully  realized  the  power  and  destructive  force  of 
artillery. 

Of  this  first  pitched  battle  between  the  two -armies  SHERMAN 
said: 

It  was  the  best  planned  and  worst  fought  of  any  during  the  civil  war. 
A  fine  organization  of  excellent  material  and  plenty  of  courage,  but  no 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  177 

cohesion,  little  discipline,  and  no  respect  for  authority,  all  of  which  were 
the  very  foundation  of  successful  war.  Both  armies  were  fairly  defeated 
without  knowing  it.  Whichever  had  stood,  the  other  would  have  run. 

A    VISIT    BY    PRESIDENT    LINCOLN. 

The  substantial  services  rendered  by  SHERMAN  in  every  post 
of  duty  in  which  he  had  l>een  placed  had  won  for  him  a  strong 
hold  in  the  esteem  of  his  superiors,  as  was  esj)ecially  manifested 
a  few  days  (July  26th)  after  the  late  disaster  by  a  visit  from 
President  Lincoln  and  Secretary  Seward. 

The  President,  driving  up,  recognized  him.  The  General 
inquired  whether  he  intended  to  visit  his  camps,  to  which  he 
replied: 

Yes;  we  heard  that  you  had  gotten  over  the  big  scare,  so  we  thought  we 
would  come  over  and  see  the  "hoys." 

As  the  distinguished  party  approached  the  "assembly" 
sounded,  the  regiments  quickly  formed,  presented,  and  were 
ordered  at  parade  rest.  The  President  made  an  earnest  speech 
from  his  carriage,  referring  to  "the  Bull  Run  affair,  pointing 
out  their  duty  to  their  country  and  of  brighter  days  to  come." 

The  men  setting  up  a  cheer,  the  President  interposed: 

Don't  cheer,  boys.  I  confess  I  rather  like  it  myself,  but  General  SHKR- 
M.\N  says  it  is  not  military,  and  I  guess  we  had  better  defer  to  his  opinion. 

The  President  in  turn  visited  each  regiment  of  the  brigade 
and  made  a  speech  with  excellent  effect.  In  leaving  he  compli 
mented  its  commander  upon  the  order,  cleanliness,  and  discipline 
of  his  command,  remarking  particularly,  which  Secretary  Seward 
reiterated,  the  visit  "was  the  first  bright  moment  he  had  experi 
enced  since  the  battle. ' ' 

While  at  the  fort  a  characteristic  incident  occurred. 

An  officer,  approaching  the  carriage,  said  to  the  President: 

"  I  have  a  cause  of  grievance.  General  SHERMAN  threatened 
to  shoot  me." 


178  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

' '  Threatened  to  shoot  you?  ' '  echoed  the  President,  in  apparent 
surprise. 

"Yes;  he  threatened  to  shoot  me." 

Giving  the  officer  a  sort  of  a  commiserating  gaze,  but  in  an 
aside,  the  President,  so  as  to  be  heard,  answered: 

"Well,  if  I  were  you  and  General  SHERMAN  threatened  to 
shoot,  I  would  not  trust  him,  for  I  believe  he  would  do  it." 

The  men  laughed  heartily  and  the  officer  skulked  away.  The 
threat  was  made  by  SHERMAN,  pistol  in  hand,  when  the  officer 
was  determined  to  abandon  his  post  at  a  time  when  the  example 
of  officers  was  essential  to  restore  confidence  among  the  men. 

With  two  new  regiments  assigned  to  him,  SHERMAN  began 
the  erection  of  two  additional  forts  beyond  Corcoran  and  daily 
trained  his  men  in  the  evolutions  of  the  line,  which  in  fact  were 
new  to  him  and  which  he  was  obliged  himself  to  learn  from 
books.  In  his  own  words: 

I  was  convinced  that  there  was  a  long,  hard  war  ahead  and  had  made  up 
my  mind  to  begin  at  the  beginning  and  prepare  for  it. 

The  first  official  report  by  SHERMAN  of  his  first  battle  was 
dated  at  Headquarters,  Third  Brigade,  First  Division,  Fort  Cor 
coran,  Va. ,  July  25,  1861. 

TRANSFERRED  TO  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND. 

On  August  28,  at  the  request  of  Gen.  Robert  Anderson,  his 
old-time  captain  at  Fort  Moultrie,  S.  C.,  SHERMAN  was  trans 
ferred  to  the  Department  of  the  Cumberland  and  assigned  to 
the  command  of  troops  in  front  of  Louisville,  Ky.  General 
Anderson,  in  conversation  with  SHERMAN,  said  that  a  crisis 
was  reached  in  Kentucky,  and  if  backed  by  the  Government 
that  State  would  take  open  sides  with  the  Union,  adding  that  he 
had  been  offered  command  of  the  Department  of  Kentucky, 
which  included  Tennessee,  and  was  authorized  to  select  out  of 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  1 79 

the  new  brigadiers  four  of  his  own  choice.  He  desired  him 
(SHERMAN)  to  be  his  chief  support,  George  H.  Thomas,  I).  C. 
Buell,  and  A.  K.  Btirnside  to  be  the  other  three.  While  this 
conversation  was  going  on,  the  President  called  at  General 
Anderson's  quarters.  Some  doubt  was  expressed  as  to  Thomas, 
who  was  a  Virginian,  but  SHKKMAN,  who  had  met  him  in  Pat 
terson's  army,  strongly  espoused  his  side,  whereupon  the  Presi 
dent  promised  to  accept  him. 

In  the  assignment  of  the  general  officers  of  the  volunteer 
sen-ice.  Brig.  Gen.  \V.  T.  SHERMAN  and  George  H.  Thomas, 
the  former  the  senior,  were  formally  ordered  to  the  Department 
of  the  Cumberland,  Brig.  Gen.  Robert  Anderson,  commanding. 
A  few  days  after  SHERMAN  turned  his  brigade  on  the  Potomac 
over  to  Brig.  Gen.  Fitx-John  Porter  and  departed  at  once  for 
his  new  and  future  theater  of  action  in  the  West,  arriving  in 
the  beginning  of  September  at  Cincinnati  en  route,  where  he 
met  General  Anderson  and  others  in  conference.  At  the  time 
of  SHERMAN'S  appearance  on  the  scene  of  action  in  Kentucky 
there  were  two  Union  camps  of  rendezvous — one  at  Dick  Robin 
son,  south  of  the  Kentucky  River,  south  of  Xicholasville;  the 
other  at  Jeffersonville,  on  the  Indiana  side  of  the  Ohio  River, 
opposite  Louisville.  The  legislature  was  in  session  at  Frank 
fort  prepared  to  act  as  soon  as  General  Anderson,  commanding 
the  department,  gave  the  word. 

The  State  was  threatened  by  invasion  by  two  forces  from  the 
direction  of  Nashville  and  Cumberland  Gap. 

Owing  to  insufficient  strength  to  meet  this  hostile  movement, 
SHERMAN  was  hurriedly  dispatched  to  Indianapolis  and  Spring 
field,  to  confer  with  the  governors,  and  to  St.  Louis,  on  the  same 
errand  to  General  Fremont,  then  in  command  in  Missouri.  He 
was  not  long,  however,  in  discovering  that  all  available  troops 
from  the  States  named  were  being  pushed  east  to  join  General 


180  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

McClellan,  and  those  in  Missouri  were  claimed  necessary  to  look 
after  pending  movements,  after  which  ' '  attention  would  be 
given  down  the  Mississippi." 

In  the  general's  words,  ' '  No  one  seemed  to  think  of  the  inter 
vening  link  covered  by  Kentucky." 

Failing  to  obtain  help  in  this  direction,  a  dispatch  from  Gen 
eral  Anderson  hurried  him  back  to  Louisville,  as  matters  were 
pressing.  In  response  he  departed,  sad  and  anxious,  the  same 
day. 

The  legislature,  forced  to  act  in  advance  of  the  prearranged 
plan,  determined  to  remain  in  the  Union.  The  military  part  of 
the  programme  was  inadmissible,  owing  to  lack  of  force  neces 
sary  to  make  an  advance  reasonably  assuring  of  success. 

One  column  of  the  enemy  had  crossed  into  Kentucky,  mov 
ing  as  far  as  Bowling  Green,  which  was  fortified,  with  a  division 
advanced  toward  Louisville.  Another  took  position  at  Somerset, 
and  still  another,  on  September  7,  was  in  position  at  Columbus. 

To  offset  these  movements,  General  Grant  from  Cairo  occu 
pied  Paducah  on  September  6,  and  General  SHERMAN  was 
ordered  to  collect  what  troops  he  could  and  occupy  Muldraughs 
Hill,  on  the  railroad,  a  former  camp  of  instruction,  back  of 
Elizabethtown,  in  advance  of  the  enemy,  as  that  was  the  stra 
tegic  point  of  their  movement  against  Louisville.  With  his 
usual  celerity  SHERMAN  in  a  single  night  crossed  the  Ohio 
with  the  Jeffersonville  force  (Rousseau's  Legion,  1,000  strong), 
and  by  daybreak  had  reached  Lebanon  Junction,  26  miles  from 
Louisville,  whence  he  marched  part  of  his  men  to  Muldraughs 
Hill  by  fording  Salt  River,  the  railroad  bridge  having  been 
burned.  He  had  also  a  small  body  of  Louisville  home  guards. 
Reenforced  by  two  regiments,  he  advanced  his  entire  camp  to 
the  summit  of  the  hill  without  awaiting  the  completion  of  the 
bridge. 


Sherman:  A  ^FcJnorial  Sketch.  181 

The  enemy  had  not  yet  crossed  Green  River,  but  were  still 
fortifying  Bowling  Green  as  a  base  for  a  systematic  advance  to 
regain  Kentucky. 

By  October  i  SHERMAN  had  massed  a  division  of  two  bri 
gades,  with  which  he  proposed  to  move  against  the  enemy. 

IX    COMMAND    OF     THE    DEPARTMENT    OK    THE     CUMBERLAND. 

On  October  5  he  was  summoned  to  Louisville  by  General 
Anderson,  who  was  threatened  with  a  mental  and  physical  col 
lapse.  On  October  8  that  officer  relinquished  authority,  which 
act,  by  virtue  of  seniority,  and  against  his  wish,  placed  General 
SHERMAN  in  command  of  the  Department  of  the  Cumberland. 

In  his  earliest  communications  with  the  War  Department 
SHERMAN  renewed  his  desire  to  remain  in  a  subordinate  posi 
tion  and  received  assurances  that  General  Buell  would  shortly 
arrive  from  California  and  be  sent  to  relieve  him. 

The  raising  of  troops  in  Kentucky  was  slow,  as  the  young 
men  favored  the  South  and  the  elders  desired  to  remain  neutral. 

Being  obliged  to  operate  on  divergent  lines  as  the  part  of 
prudence,  SHERMAN  concentrated  his  forces  at  his  two  camps — 
Dick  Robinson  and  Kli/abethtown  (Muldraugh's  Hill) — with 
G.  H.  Thomas  in  command  of  the  former  and  A.  McD.  McCook 
of  the  latter,  with  an  advance  at  Nolin  Creek,  52  miles  from 
Louisville  toward  the  enemy's  position  at  Bowling  Green.  At 
one  time  a  concentrated  movement  toward  Frankfort  between 
SHERMAN'S  two  camps  was  actually  in  motion,  but  was  checked 
by  strategic  skill. 

The  national  authorities  at  this  critical  moment  in  the  cen 
tral  zone  of  operations  were  so  engrossed  with  Fremont's  affairs 
in  Missouri  and  General  McClellan's  at  Washington  that  the 
real  key  to  the  situation  in  Kentucky  was  held  in  abeyance. 

About  the   middle  of   October   General   SHERMAN   received 


1 82  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

word  from  the  Secretary  of  War  (Simon  Cameron),  then  at  St. 
Louis  unraveling  matters  in  that  department,  that  he  would 
visit  him  on  his  way  back  to  Washington.  As  a  result  of  the 
first  part  of  this  programme  General  Fremont  was  relieved  by 
General  Hunter,  and  later  he  by  General  Halleck. 

After  the  usual  preliminaries  of  such  a  meeting,  which  took 
place  at  a  hotel  in  Louisville,  the  Secretary  of  \Var  remarked: 
"  No\v,  General  SHERMAN,  tell  us  of  your  troubles." 

The  General  declining,  owing  to  so  many  persons  being 
present,  the  Secretary  continued:  "They  are  all  friends.  All 
members  of  my  family.  You  may  speak  your  mind  freely  and 
without  restraint. ' ' 

Whereupon  the  General  locked  the  door  against  intrusion  and 
proceeded.  He  explained  in  his  customary  terse  and  forceful 
way  the  intricacies  of  the  Kentucky  situation — troops  i-aised  in 
the  neighboring  States  on  the  north  wrere  sent  east  and  west, 
leaving  his  strength  powerless  for  invasion  and  a  temptation  to 
the  enemy,  who,  if  he  wished,  might  march  to  Louisville — to 
which  the  Secretary  replied: 

"You  astonish  me!  Our  informants,  the  Kentucky  Senators 
and  Representatives,  claim  that  they  have  in  Kentucky  plenty 
of  men ;  all  they  want  are  arms  and  money. ' ' 

To  which  SHERMAN  responded:  "That  is  not  true.  The 
young  men  are  arming  in  open  day  and  going  to  the  rebel 
camps,  with  good  horses  and  weapons.  And  as  to  arms, 
General  Anderson  was  promised,  in  Washington,  40,000  of  the 
best  Springfield  muskets.  Instead  he  received  12,000  Belgian 
muskets,  which  the  governors  of  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  had 
refused,  but  which  were  adjudged  good  enough  for  Kentucky. 
The  colonels  raising  regiments  in  this  State  scorned  to  receive 
them. ' ' 


Shcnnan:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  183 

This  statement  was  confirmed  by  several  influential  Ken- 
tuckians  present,  who  added  that  "no  man  who  owned  a  slave 
or  a  mule  in  Kentucky  could  be  trusted." 

The  Secretary,  alarmed  at  this  exhibit,  asked  the  adjutant- 
general  (Thomas)  with  him  whether  there  were  any  unassigned 
troops.  He  mentioned  Negley's  Pennsylvania  brigade  at  Pitts- 
burg  and  other  regiments  en  route  for  St.  Louis.  These  were 
ordered  to  SHERMAN  on  the  spot  and  others  were  promised, 
coupled  with  a  remark  that  more  time  and  assistance  would  be 
given  to  affairs  in  Kentucky. 

THE    ' '  INSANE  ' '    INCIDENT. 

Then,  pointing  to   a   map  of    the    United   States,  SHERMAN 
< 
described  what  it  meant  to  subdue  the  South.      McClellan  on 

the  left  had  a  frontage  of  100  miles,  Fremont  on  the  right  about 
the  same,  whereas  he  in  the  center  was  responsible  for  300  miles 
from  Big  Sandy  to  Paducah;  McClellan  had  100,000,  Fremont 
60,000,  while  he  had  but  18,000  men.  The  General  then 
pointed  out  that  he  should  have  for  defense  60,000  and  for 
offense  200,000  l^efore  his  task  was  finished. 

"Great  God,"  exclaimed  the  Secretary,  "where  are  they  to 
come  from? ' ' 

SHERMAN  replied  that  there  were  plenty  of  men  in  the  North 
and  Northwest  ready,  who  had  in  fact  proffered  their  services, 
but  were  refused  as  not  needed. 

The  entire  proceeding  was  friendly,  SHERMAN  feeling  that 
he  had  convinced  the  Secretary  ' '  that  a  great  war  was  before 
us,  in  fact  upon  us." 

The  Secretary  directed  the  adjutant-general  to  make  notes, 
"so  that  the  request  may  be  attended  to  on  reaching  Wash 
ington." 


184  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

The  Secretary  was  called  upon  by  Union  citizens,  and  the 
next  day  departed,  accompanied  by  SHERMAN  as  far  as  Frank 
fort,  the  former  proceeding  to  Washington  and  the  latter  to  his 
camp. 

By  October  22  Negley's  brigade  and  a  Minnesota  and  Indiana 
regiment  arrived  and  were  disposed.  But  no  other  troops  were 
received  prior  to  SHERMAN'S  departure  from  Kentucky. 

On  arriving  at  Washington  the  Secretary  called  upon  the 
Adjutant-General  to  submit  the  memoranda  taken  during  his 
tour,  in  which  he  referred  to  General  SHERMAN'S  "insane 
request  for  200,000  men;" 

This  observation,  finding  its  way  into  print,  was  spread  broad 
cast.  Before  the  publication  had  come  to  SHERMAN'S  attention 
he  had  sent  to  the  Adjutant-General,  at  Washington,  a  clear 
and  comprehensive  statement  of  his  available  force,  the  arrival 
of  the  troops  promised,  and  the  establishment  of  an  advanced 
guard  toward  L,ondon,  which  was  threatened.  He  repeated  his 
explanations  respecting  operations,  adding: 

You  know  my  views;  that  this  great  center  of  our  field  is  too  weak, 
far  too  weak,  and  I  have  begged  and  implored  till  I  dare  not  say  more. 
The  Kentucky  legislature  has  provided  money  for  the  organization  of 
Kentucky  volunteers,  and  I  have  endeavored  to  cooperate  with  them  to 
hasten  the  formation  of  the  corps,  but  have  no  arms  or  clothing. 

He  closed  this  communication: 

I  again  repeat  that  our  force  here  is  out  all  proportion  to  the  impor 
tance  of  the  position.  Our  defeat  would  be  disastrous  to  the  nation,  and 
to  expect  new  men  who  never  bore  arms  to  do  miracles  is  not  right. 

In  the  meantime  the  story  of  "insanity,"  based  solely  upon 
his  demand  for  200,000  men  for  operations  in  the  central  zone, 
filled  the  newspapers  East  and  West.  In  the  General's  own 
words,  after  all  was  over: 

My  position  was  simply  intolerable,  and  it  is  probable  I  resented  the 
cruel  insinuation  with  language  of  intense  feeling.  [I]  received  no 
orders,  no  reenforcements,  not  a  word  of  encouragement  or  relief. 


S/ii'nmiH:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  185 

General  McClellan,  having  been  made  commander  in  chief  of 
all  the  armies  in  the  field,  called  for  a  report  of  conditions  in 
the  Department  of  the  Cumberland,  which  was  transmitted  by 
SHERMAN  November  4,  covering  in  detail  the  position  of  his 
troops,  the  plans,  as  far  as  known,  of  the  enemy,  and  the 
requirements  of  the  situation  letter  than  anyone  knew  it  then, 
and  with  marvelous  accuracy,  as  the  best  military  critics  and 
the  world  now  concede.  He  closed: 

I  am  told  that  my  estimate  of  troops  needed  for  this  line — 200,000 — has 
been  construed  to  my  prejudice,  and  therefore  leave  that  for  the  future. 
This  is  the  great  center  on  which  our  enemies  can  concentrate  whatever 
force  is  not  employed  elsewhere. 

Having  his  troops  well  in  hand  for  any  contingency,  on 
November  6,  in  response  to  a  telegram  to  report  daily  the  situ 
ation  to  the  Adjutant-General,  he  showed  that  the  country  was 
full  of  spies,  and  forwarded  samples  of  captured  letters,  closing 
with  unfeigned  sarcasm: 

Do  not  conclude,  as  before,  that  I  exaggerate  the  facts.  They  are  as 
stated,  and  the  future  looks  as  dark  as  possible.  It  would  be  better  if 
some  man  of  sanguine  mind  were  here,  for  I  am  forced  to  order  according 
to  mv  convictions." 


INSPECTION    DUTY — COMMAND    AT    BENTON    BARRACKS. 
[1H61-62.] 

.  Maj.  Gen.  D.  C.  Buell  relieved  General  SHERMAN  of  the 
command  of  the  Department  of  the  Cumtxerland  on  November  15, 
the  latter  having  been  transferred  to  the  Department  of  the  Mis 
souri,  with  orders  to  report  in  person  to  Major-General  Halleck 
at  St.  Louis. 


"After  the  war  Gen.  Th< 
prepared  a  public  stateme 
which  led  to  the  "insaniu 
"  I  did  not  then  deem  it  i 
livion  by  the  war  itself,  1> 
tion."  This  statement  sh 


mas  J.  Wood,  then  in  command  of  the  district  of  Vicksl 
it  of  the  interview  with  the  Secretary  of  War,  at  Louis 
"  incident.  General  SHERMAN  refers  to  it  in  his  Men 
ecessary  to  renew  a  matter  which  had  been  swept  int 
«t  as  it  is  evidence  by  an  eye-witness  it  is  worthy  of  i 
ws  the  keen  insight  of  SHKKMAN  at  that  time. 


ille. 


1 86  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

In  speaking  of  himself  at  this  time  the  General  said: 

I  could  not  hide  from  myself  that  many  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  sub 
sequently  under  my  command  looked  at  me  askance  and  with  suspicion. 

On  November  23  he  was  placed  on  inspection  duty,  with 
orders  to  visit  the  camps  at  Sedalia,  Mo. ,  and  to  take  command 
in  a  certain  contingency,  which  transpired.  The  newspapers, 
harping  upon  his  "insanity,"  paralyzed  his  efforts.  In  his  own 
words:  "In  spite  of  myself,  they  tortured  from  me  some  words 
and  acts  of  imprudence. ' ' 

On  November  28  he  received  a  dispatch: 

Mrs.  Sherman  is  here.  You  will  therefore  return  to  this  city  and  report 
the  condition  of  the  troops  you  have  examined. 

The  arrival  of  Mrs.  Sherman,  almost  distracted;  her  husband's 
recall  from  the  Sedalia  command,  and  their  return  to  Lancaster; 
the  General  on  twenty  days'  leave,  notwithstanding  the  scarcity 
of  general  officers,  not  only  increased  the  intensity,  but  seemed 
confirmatory  of  the  ' '  insanity ' '  stories  put  in  circulation  and 
sedulously  kept  up. 

As  said  the  General  after,  with  naive  irony: 

So  Mrs.  Sherman  and  I  returned  to  Lancaster,  where  I  was  born,  and 
where  I  supposed  I  was  better  known  and  appreciated. 

On  December  18  General  Halleck,  in  a  letter  to  SHERMAN  at 
his  home,  stamped  the  lie  on  these  canards  in  these  specific 
terms: 

The  newspaper  attacks  are  certainly  shameless  and  scandalous.  Your 
movement  of  the  troops  was  not  countermanded  by  me  because  I  thought 
it  was  an  unwise  one  in  itself,  but  because  I  was  not  then  ready  for  it.  I 
intended  to  concentrate  my  forces  on  that  line,  but  I  wished  the  move 
ment  delayed  until  I  could  determine  upon  a  better  position.  After 
receiving  Colonel  McPherson's  report  I  made  precisely  the  location  you 
had  ordered. 

Upon  General  SHERMAN'S  return  he  was  placed  in  temporary 
charge  of  a  camp  of  instruction  (December  23,  1 86 1 -February 
14,  1862)  of  15,000  men  at  the  post  of  Benton  Barracks. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  187 

Here  he  gave  his  personal  attention  to  matters,  so  that  when  an 
order  came  to  move  a  regiment  or  detachment  he  did  so  imme 
diately.  As  a  further  evidence  of  General  Halleck's  confidence, 
he  was  assigned  to  a  command  in  western  Kentucky  second 
only  in  importance  in  the  department,  adding  in  a  letter  to 
General  Ewing,  "  I  have  the  fullest  confidence  in  him." 

THE   MOVEMENT  WHICH  BROKE  THK    BACK  OF  THK  REBELLION. 

During  midwinter  of  1 861-2,  in  one  of  their  conversations 
on  the  proposed  plans  of  operations,  General  Halleck,  calling 
SHERMAN'S  attention  to  a  map  on  the  table  before  them,  said: 
"  Here  is  the  line;  how  will  you  break  it?  " 

"Physically,"  replied  vSHERMAX,  "by  a  perpendicular." 

"  Where  is  the  perpendicular?" 

"  The  line  of  the  Tennessee  River." 

General  Halleck,  taking  a  pencil  and  suiting  the  action  to  the 
word,  said:  "  There  is  the  line;  we  must  break  it." 

The  capture  of  Forts  Henry  and  Donelson  by  Grant,  which 
followed,  was  the  strategic  feature  of  that  first  movement  origi 
nally  suggested  by  Grant  from  Cairo. 

General  Halleck's  plan,  following  up  this  first  line  through 
Columbus  and  Bowling  Green,  crossing  the  river  at  Henry  and 
Donelson,  was  to  push  on  to  the  second,  between  Memphis  and 
Charleston.  Opposition  having  intervened  at  Nashville, 
SHERMAN  now  appeared  as  an  actor  on  the  scene. 

AT    PADUCAH,    KY. 
[FKBKI  AKY    17   MAK(H    10,   1862;] 

Upon  the  movement  of  General  Grant  from  Paducah  up  the 
Tennessee  River  on  February  i,  1862,  and  capture  of  Fort 
Henry  on  the  6th  but  before  the  fall  of  Donelson,  General 
SHERMAN  received  orders  to  repair  immediately  to  Paducah  and 


1 88  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

assume  command  of  that  post.  He  left  the  same  day.  Upon 
his  arrival  he  received  orders  from  General  Halleck  ' '  send 
General  Grant  everything  you  can  spare  from  Paducah  and 
Smithland."  The  next  day  news  flashed  to  the  country  that 
Fort  Donelson  with  a  garrison  of  12,000  men  had  surrendered 
to  Grant.  The  main  body  of  the  enemy  fell  back  on  Nashville, 
Island  No.  10,  and  the  line  of  the  Memphis  and  Charleston 
Railroad. 

' '  INSANITY  ' '    CHANGED    FRONT. 

The  extent  of  the  struggle  now  fairly  on,  according  to  the 
original  conceptions  of  General  SHERMAN,  by  this  time  began 
to  penetrate  the  perceptions  of  his  detractors. 

By  the  end  of  February,  after  civil  war  had  been  progressing 
cumulatively  for  ten  months,  scarcely  making  a  beginning  of 
success  and  certainly  without  the  end  in  sight,  the  military 
forces  of  the  United  States  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  alone  had 
assumed  a  form  of  organization  in  four  grand  armies  in  the 
field,  the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  Buell,  in  Kentucky;  of  the  Ten 
nessee,  Grant  at  Forts  Henry  and  Donelson,  winner  of  the  first 
substantial  victories;  of  the  Mississippi,  Pope,  and  Southwestern 
Missouri,  Curtis,  which  as  a  whole  were  commanded  by  General 
Halleck  from  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

In  the  handling  of  these  troops  on  the  ground,  General 
SHERMAN,  who  but  three  months  before  had  been  rated 
"insane,"  was  stationed  at  Paducah  "to  expedite  and  facilitate 
the  important  operations  in  progress  up  the  Tennessee  and 
Cumberland  rivers." 

By  February  1 6  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  had  scored  two 
of  the  greatest  and  most  decisive  victories  yet  achieved  by  the 
national  Arms. 

The  enemy  was  forced  out  of  his  fortified  camp  at  Bowling 
Green,  retreating,  pursued  through  Nashville. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  189 

The  movements  which  followed  Donelson,  and  had  their 
culmination  at  Shiloh,  were  begun  by  General  Grant  sending 
one  of  his  divisions  to  Clarksville,  50  miles  above  Donelson 
toward  Nashville,  which  he  a  week  later  joined  in  person  in 
order  to  be  in  immediate  touch  with  his  advance. 

General  Halleck,  at  St.  Louis,  "  must  have  felt  that  his  armies 
were  getting  away  from  him,"  as  he  began  sending  dispatches 
to  SHERMAN,  at  Paducah,  to  l>e  forwarded  to  Grant  at  the  front. 

These  related  to  movements  up  the  Tennessee  River,  the 
destruction  of  railroad  bridges  and  the  railroad,  particularly  at 
Corinth,  Jackson  and  Humboldt,  thus  severing  connection 
between  the  Mississippi  and  the  Tennessee.  Having  accom 
plished  these  objects  Grant  returned  to  Danville  and  moved 
upon  Paris.  The  next  day  some  of  these  orders  were  counter 
manded  from  St.  Louis,  and  two  days  later  still  to  Grant 
through  SHKRMAN,  "Why  do  you  not  obey  my  orders  and 
report  strength  and  position  of  your  command?"  As  General 
SHERMAN  puts  it — 

Halleck  was  evidently  working  himself  into  a  passion,  but  he  was  too 
far  from  the  seat  of  war  to  make  due  allowance  for  the  actual  state  of 
facts.  General  Grant  had  done  so  much  that  General  Halleck  should  have 
been  patient. 

FRIENDSHIP    BETWEEN    GRANT    AND   SHERMAN    BEGUN. 

From  this  moment  the  careers  of  the  two  foremost  captains 
of  the  civil  war,  Grant  and  SHERMAN,  became  inseparably 
interwoven,  in  the  progression  of  events  which  elicited  from 
their  country  and  countrymen  their  highest  confidence  and 
admiration. 

At  Paducah  SHERMAN  was  a  tower  of  strength  to  the  officers 
and  men  at  the  front,  laying  the  lines  of  one  of  the  most  des 
perate  and  effective  battles  of  the  war.      He  was  sending  lx>ats 
with  dispatches  and  troops  in  all  directions. 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 13 


190  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

It  was  evident  from  the  restricted  field  of  operations  of  the 
two  hostile  armies  that  a  clash  was  not  far  distant. 

Out  of  the  new  troops  arriving  at  Paducah  SHERMAN  took 
his  usual  precaution  of  mobilizing  a  division  for  himself  for 
emergencies,  particularly  when  ordered  into  the  field,  which 
had  been  promised  him  by  Halleck,  who  now  began  to  fully 
comprehend  the  greatness  of  the  man  and  soldier. 

COMMANDS    A    DIVISION. 
[1862.] 

On  March  9  SHERMAN  was  assigned  to  command  the  First 
Division  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  till  April  4,  when  it 
became  the  Fifth  Division,  and  subsequently  again  the  First 
Division  of  the  same  army. 

On  March  10  Ire  received  his  expected  order  and  promptly 
embarked  his  division  of  four  brigades  of  infantry,  three  bat 
teries  of  artillery,  and  two  battalions  and  two  detachments  of 
cavalry,  landing  it  a  few  miles  above  Fort  Henry  to  await  the 
rendezvous  of  the  Army.  He  reached  Savannah  on  the  i4th. 
From  this  point  he  was  ordered  by  General  Smith  to  proceed 
up  the  river  to  the  extreme  advance  landing  at  some  point  near 
East  port,  and  from  there  make  an  attempt  to  break  the  Memphis 
and  Charleston  Railroad  in  the  vicinity  of  Burnsville,  Miss. 

In  passing  Pittsburg  Landing,  a  village  on  high  ground  on 
the  left  bank  of  the  Tennessee  River,  on  his  advance  movement, 
he  learned  that  a  regiment  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  had  been 
stationed  there,  as  it  was  the  usual  landing  place  for  the  people 
about  Cornith,  about  22  miles  distant  in  a  southwesterly  direc 
tion.  He  recommended  the  establishment  of  a  strong  post  at 
that  point  and  proceeded  up  the  stream  as  ordered.  At  East- 
port  and  Chickasaw  he  found  the  enemy  in  some  force.  Upon 
this  discovery  he  dropped  back  a  few  miles,  landing  his  division 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  191 

at  the  mouth  of  Yellow  Creek,  and  struck  for  Burnsville,  on  the 
railroad  which  he  proposed  to  destroy. 

The  incessant  rains  and  swollen  streams  preventing  the  pro 
jected  movements  of  his  cavalry,  he  again  embarked  and  dropped 
down  to  Pittsburg  Landing  to  renew  the  movement  from  there, 
where  he  arrived  March  14,  finding  Hurlhut's  division  present, 
but  not  landed.  Reporting  these  facts  to  his  immediate  com 
mander,  C.  F.  Smith,  he  received  instructions  to  land  his  divi 
sion  and  that  of  Hurlbut  and  make  a  lodgment  on  the  railroad. 

On  March  16  SHERMAN,  having  part  of  his  men  ashore,  made 
a  reconnoissance  1 1  miles  on  the  Corinth  road  to  Monterey,  or 
Pea  Ridge,  where  he  found  the  enemy  in  force,  but  who 
decamped  upon  his  approach.  Col.  J.  B.  McPherson,  of  Gen 
eral  Halleck's  staff,  another  of  the  future  commanders  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee,  accompanied  this  movement.  Return 
ing  to  the  river,  having  chosen  the  site  for  his  camp,  he  disem 
barked  his  division. 

At  Monterey  SHERMAN  learned  that  trains  were  concentrat 
ing  masses  of  troops  from  all  directions  at  Corinth.  He  at 
once  detected  in  this  the  purpose  of  the  enemy  to  bring  on  a 
battle  in  that  vicinity.  Accordingly,  on  the  iSth,  Hurlbut's 
division  was  advanced  i  y*  miles,  to  the  crossing  of  the  Corinth 
and  Hamburg  and  Savannah  roads. 

On  the  igth  SHERMAN,  with  his  whole  division,  took  post  2*/> 
miles  inland  from  the  landing,  in  the  extreme  advance,  covering 
the  roads  to  Purdy  and  Corinth  and  a  junction  on  the  Hamburg 
road  near  Lick  Creek  Ford,  where  another  joined  the  Hamburg 
road. 

The  grounds  selected  for  his  camps  lay  just  behind  a  stream 
called  Shiloh  Branch — McDowell's  brigade  on  the  right,  with 
his  right  on  Owl  Creek,  at  the  bridge  where  the  Hamburg  and 
Purdy  road  crossed  the  creek;  Buckland's  brigade  next  in  line 


192  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

to  the  left,  with  his  left  at  Shiloh  Church;  Hildebrand's  brigade 
to  the  left  of  the  church;  Stuart's  brigade,  detached  from 
others,  to  the  extreme  left  of  the  line,  at  the  point  where  the 
Savannah  and  Hamburg  and  the  Purdy  and  Hamburg  roads 
united  just  before  they  crossed  Lick  Creek. 

The  camps  of  SHERMAN  and  Prentiss  formed  the  front  line 
(about  25^  miles  from  Pittsburg  Landing),  and  extended  in  a 
semicircle  from  Owl  Creek  on  the  right  to  Lick  Creek  on  the 
left.  One  company  from  each  regiment  was  advanced  as  a 
picket  i  mile  in  front  of  regimental  camps. 

The  five  divisions  of  the  army  were  concentrated  in  this 
vicinity.  Gen.  C.  F.  Smith,  who  was  in  general  command, 
was  ill  at  Savannah.  SHERMAN  kept  his  pickets  well  advanced 
and  vigilant,  as  all  reports  convinced  him  that  the  rebels  were 
concentrating  at  Corinth  for  attack. 

On  March  17,  Gen.  U.  S.  Grant  wras  restored  to  the  com 
mand  of  all  troops  operating  "  up  "  the  Tennessee.  SHERMAN 
argued,  as  an  army  of  invasion,  a  post  should  be  held  on  the 
railroad,  thus  separating  the  enemy  of  the  interior  from  his 
force  at  Memphis  and  on  the  Mississippi  River. 

The  position  of  the  national  troops  was  topographically 
strong,  with  Snake  Creek  on  the  right,  Owl  Creek  in  front, 
and  Lick  Creek  on  the  left.  The  space  on  the  battle  front  was 
about  2  miles. 

On  April  i  the  enemy's  cavalry  manifested  a  degree  of  bold 
ness  which  convinced  SHERMAN  that  there  was  something 
behind  them.  On  Friday,  April  4,  their  cavalry  in  a  spirited 
attack  overpowered  and  captured  a  picket  guard  of  one  first 
lieutenant  and  seven  men  i  ^  miles  in  advance  of  his  center  on 
the  Corinth  road.  The  cavalry  of  the  division  and  a  company 
of  Colonel  Buckland's  Fourth  Brigade  dispatched  to  their  relief 
was  followed  by  a  regiment  and  after  by  his  entire  brigade  for 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  193 

a  distance  of  4  miles,  when  the  cavalry  in  advance  encountered 
artillery.  Withdrawing  to  his  lines  he  re]x>rted  the  fact  to 
General  Grant  at  Savannah.  Hitherto  no  infantry  or  artillery 
had  l>een  displayed. 

The  next  day  the  enemy's  cavalry  again  appeared  on  his 
front  manifesting  great  lx>ldness,  which  led  to  increased 
vigilance. 

The  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  commanded  by  Maj.  Gen. 
U.  S.  Grant,  on  April  5  was  composed  of  six  divisions,  the 
fifth  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  \V.  T.  SHKRMAX. 

On  the  following  day,  Sunday,  April  6,  says  SHKRMAN: 

I  got  breakfast,  rode  along  my  lines,  and  atxnit  400  yards  to  the  front 
of  Appier's  regiment  received  from  the  hushes  in  the  ravine,  left  front,  a 
volley,  which  killed  my  orderly. 

He  also  saw  as  far  as  his  vision  reached  the  enemy  advanc 
ing  rapidly  in  order  of  battle  from  the  direction  of  Monterey. 

His  entire  division  was  in  line  in  front  of  its  camps  ready  to 
receive  the  impact.  He  gave  orders  to  his  batteries  to  reserve 
their  fire  until  the  enemy  crossed  the  ravine  of  Shiloh  Branch 
and  began  the  ascent  of  the  hill. 

He  then  hastily  dispatched  his  aids  or  orderlies,  whichever 
nearest,  to  notify  the  other  division  commanders,  McClernand, 
W.  H.  L.  Wallace,  I^ew  Wallace,  Hurlbut,  and  Prentiss,  in 
order  of  designating  numbers. 

In  a  few  moments  his  advance  guard  was  crowded  back  on 
his  main  Ixxly  and  the  battle  of  Shiloh  was  on,  lasting  two 
days,  reali/ing  in  every  sense  SHERMAN'S  famous  epigram, 
"War  is  hell." 


194  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

SHERMAN    AT   SHILOH. 
[APRIL  «  AND  7,   1862.] 

The  part  of  SHERMAN,  in  which  he  figured  so  conspicuously  as 
the  tactician  in  the  maneuvres  leading  up  to  the  clash  and  the 
fighter  in  the  stubborn  onset  of  contending  Americans,  may  be 
briefly  outlined. 

It  was  about  7  a.  m.  when  SHERMAN  descried  the  glistening 
bayonets  of  heavy  masses  of  infantry  on  the  left  beyond  the 
point  at  which  he  was  fired  upon.  He  was  now  convinced  of 
the  design  to  press  a  general  engagement. 

At  the  opening  of  the  battle  SHERMAN'S  division  occupied 
position. 

First  Brigade. — Colonel  McDowell  on  the  extreme  right, 
guarding  the  bridge  on  the  Purdy  road  over  Owl  Creek. 

Second  Brigade. — Colonel  Stuart  on  the  extreme  left,  guard 
ing  the  ford  over  L,ick  Creek. 

Third  Brigade. — Colonel  Hildebrand  on  the  left  of  the  Cor 
inth  road,  its  right  resting  on  Shiloh  Meeting  House. 

Fourth  Brigade. — Colonel  Buckland  on  the  right  of  the  Cor 
inth  road,  its  left  resting  on  the  Shiloh  Meeting  House. 

Taylor's  battery  in  position  at  Shiloh  Meeting  House  and 
Waterhouse's  battery  on  a  ridge  to  the  left,  with  a  front  fire 
over  the  open  ground  between  Mungen's  (Fifty-seventh  Ohio) 
and  Appier's  (Fifty-third  Ohio)  regiments.  The  cavalry  of 
the  division  (Dickey's— Fourth  Illinois),  on  account  of  the 
heavy  musketry  fire,  occupied  a  large  open  field  to  the  left 
under  cover  near  Shiloh  Meeting  House,  and  was  moved  accord 
ing  to  circumstances  from  8  a.  in.  Sunday  until  4  p.  m.  Mon 
day,  when  it  was  brought  into -requisition  for  pursuit. 


S.  Doc.  320—58-2. 


Sketch 

OK 

BATTLE-FIELD 

AT 

S   H    I    L  O   H 

NEAR 

PITTSBUBG  LANDING,  TENN. 
April  6  and  7, 1862. 


BATTLE  OF  SHILOH,  TENN. 
The  positions  of  the  troops  under  Brig.  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman  at  its  beginning  and  close. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  195 

THE    BATTLK. 

The  lines  of  SHERMAN,  supported  by  McClernand's  division, 
were  well  posted  to  meet  the  brunt  of  the  two  days'  work  at 
Shiloh. 

The  battle  was  opened  by  a  battery  of  the  enemy  in  the 
woods  on  SHERMAN'S  right  front  throwing  shells  into  his 
camp.  Simultaneously  the  masses  of  infantry  advanced  directly 
upon  his  division  front,  the  Third  ( Hildebrand's)  and  Fourth 
(Buckland's)  Brigades  becoming  engaged  at  7.30  a.  m.  This 
force,  strengthened  by  Raith's  brigade  of  the  First  Division, 
held  its  position  until  10  a.  m. 

The  importance  of  Shiloh  Meeting  House  as  the  key  to  suc 
cess  led  SHER'MAN  to  make  the  most  desperate  efforts  to  main 
tain  his  position. 

At  10  a.  m.  the  enemy,  by  the  yielding  of  the  supporting 
division  on  SHERMAN'S  flank  ( Prentiss's  division),  was  enabled 
to  bring  his  artillery  in  the  rear  of  SHERMAN'S  left,  which 
necessitated  a  change  of  position  to  a  new  line  lying  on  the 
Purdy  and  Hamburg  road.  During  this  movement  both  bri 
gades,  becoming  disorganized,  withdrew  to  Hamburg  and 
Savannah  road,  parts  only  of  regiments  remaining  in  line. 

From  his  position  SHERMAN  saw  other  masses  directing  their 
movements  with  the  evident  intention  of  passing  his  own  left 
flank  and  falling  upon  the  divisions  of  McClernand  and  Prentiss 
(the  latter  giving  way  at  his  second  position  at  9 a.  m. ),  whose 
lines  paralleled  the  Tennessee  River,  2  miles  distant.  SHER 
MAN'S  left,  turned  by  the  giving  way  of  Prentiss,  made  the 
enemy's  movement  severely  felt.  The  enemy's  infantry  and 
artillery  soon  opened  along  the  whole  line,  and  the  battle 
became  general. 

By  half  past  10  the  enemy  was  making  a  furious  attack  on 
McClernand's  whole  front,  to  meet  which,  being  hard  pressed, 


196  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

SHERMAN  quickly  moved  McDowell's  brigade  directly  against 
the  left  flank  of  the  enemy,  which  was  forced  back.  He  then 
directed  his  men  to  avail  themselves  of  every  cover — logs, 
stumps,  and  trees — and  hold  their  ground  at  ever)'  cost.  This 
they  did  for  four  hours  of  as  vicious  musketry  fire  as  had  ever 
been  delivered  between  two  lines  of  battle. 

In  this  desperate  strait  the  ultimate  success  was  due  largely 
to  the  perfect  accord  which  existed  between  SHERMAN  and 
McClernand  in  the  struggle  to  maintain  this  line.  It  was 
impossible  to  bring  up  reenforcements,  owing  to  the  furious  fire 
which  swept  every  part  of  the  field  around  them. 

At  3  p.  m.  General  Grant  visited  SHERMAN  in  this  position. 

At  4  p.  m.  Hurlbut's  line  was  driven  back  to  the  river. 

In  the  meantime  Gen.  Lew  Wallace  was  making  the  best 
of  his  way  with  reenforcements  from  Crumps  Landing.  In 
cooperation  with  this  SHERMAN  and  McClernand  shifted  to  a 
new  line,  having  their  right  cover  a  bridge  by  which  Wallace 
was  obliged  to  approach. 

A  charge  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  in  an  effort  to  thwart  this 
maneuver  was  splendidly  repulsed  by  the  Twenty-ninth  Illi 
nois  Volunteers  and  Fifth  Ohio  Batter}',  which  had  come  for 
ward  and  held  the  enemy  in  check  for  some  time.  Taylor's 
battery  in  position,  with  a  flank  fire  on  the  enemy's  column 
which  was  crowding  McClernand,  checked  the  advance,  when 
McClernand' s  division,  charging  in  return,  drove  the  enemy 
back  into  the  ravine  on  front  and  right.  SHERMAN  had  now 
a  clear  field  of  200  yards  on  his  front,  where  he  succeeded  in 
holding  the  enemy  during  the  rest  of  the  day. 

By  2  p.  m.,  in  SHERMAN'S  own  words,  his  "division  was 
very  much  mixed,"  Buckland's  brigade  being  the  only  one  left 
intact  as  to  organization.  Colonel  Hildebrand  was  on  the  field, 
but  his  brigade  was  not.  McDowell  had  been  injured  and  gone 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  197 

to  the  rear,  his  three  regiments  not  being  in  line.  The  Thir 
teenth  Missouri  (Wright)  reported  to  SHKKMAX  on  the  field 
and  fought  bravely,  retaining  its  formation  as  part  of  his  line 
Sunday  night  and  to  the  end  on  Monday.  Fragments  of  many 
regiments  and  companies  fell  into  his  division  and  acted  with  it 
during  the  rest  of  the  battle. 

Generals  Grant  and  Buell  visited  SHERMAN  at  his  bivouac 
during  the  night.  From  them  this  hero  of  the  bloody  day 
learned  the  situation  of  affairs  on  other  parts  of  the  field.  The 
men,  in  excellent  spirits  and  eager  to  renew  the  conflict,  lay  on 
their  arms  with  only  such  rations  as  could  be  brought  to  them 
from  the  neighboring  camps. 

At  dawn  on  the  second  day  (Monday)  SHERMAN  received 
General  Grant's  order  to  assume  the  offensive  and  recapture  his 
original  camps.  He  also  mentioned  that  General  Buell  had 
reached  the  banks  of  the  Tennessee,  opposite  Pittsburg  Land 
ing,  and  was  ferrying  his  troops  over.  Having  gathered  his 
forces  well  in  hand  during  the  night,  SHERMAN  awaited  the 
advance  on  the  main  Corinth  road  of  Wallace's  division  of 
Grant's  army,  which  early  on  the  night  of  the  first  day  had 
arrived  from  Crumps  Landing,  on  the  Tennessee,  advancing  by 
Snake  Creek. 

At  10  a.  m.,  hearing  a  heavy  cannonade,  which  he  construed 
to  indicate  the  advance  of  Wallace  on  his  right  flank,  SHERMAN 
in  person  led  the  head  of  his  column  toward  McClernand's 
right  and  formed  line  of  battle  facing  south,  with  Buckland's 
brigade  directly  across  the  ridge  and  Stuart's  on  its  right  in  the 
woods.  In  this  formation  they  advanced  under  a  withering  fire 
of  musketry  and  artillery.  At  the  same  time  three  guns  of 
Company  A,  Chicago  Light  Artillery,  advanced  by  hand,  and, 
firing,  did  effective  execution. 

On  reaching  a  point  where  the  Corinth  road  crossed  the  line 


198  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

for  McClernand's  camp  SHERMAN  was  joined  by  part  of  General 
Buell's  Kentucky  forces.  Willich's  regiment  advanced  and 
entered  the  thicket  in  front  in  grand  style.  The  enemy  had 
rallied  at  this  point  under  cover,  which  led  to  twenty  minutes 
of  the  severest  musketry  fire,  as  SHERMAN  afterwards  said  he 
had  ' '  ever  heard. ' ' 

This  grove  of  water  oaks,  500  yards  east  of  Shiloh  Meeting 
House,  had  now  become  the  scene  of  the  struggle,  as  SHERMAN 
had  foreseen  in  the  beginning,  which  would  decide  the  mastery 
of  the  national  or  the  rebel  forces  in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee 
and  possibly  in  that  part  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  lying  south 
of  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  to  Baton  Rouge. 

The  enemy  could  be  seen  massing  his  lines  to  the  south. 
McClernand  calling  for  artillery,  SHERMAN  sent  him  Wood's 
three  guns,  which  had  done  such  excellent  work  in  the  earlier 
part  of  the  day  and  which  again  drove  the  enemy  back  in 
disorder. 

At  the  same  moment  dispatching  one  of  his  aids  to  hurry  up 
the  two  24-pounder  howitzers  of  McAllister's  battery,  SHERMAN 
brought  them  into  position  and  began  to  play  on  the  enemy's 
ranks  at  the  very  timely  instant  of  the  crisis  of  attack. 

It  was  now  2  p.  m.  The  enemy  had  one  battery  close  by 
Shiloh  Meeting  House  and  another  near  the  Hamburg  road 
pouring  grape  and  canister  upon  SHERMAN'S  column  advancing 
to  the  copse  of  water  oaks.  One  regiment,  almost  decimated, 
had  been  driven  back.  An  active  brigade  (Rousseau's)  of 
McCook's  division  was  now  deployed,  and  advancing  splendidly 
entered  the  dreaded  wood  abreast  of  the  Second  and  Fourth 
Brigades  of  SHERMAN'S  division,  together  sweeping  everything 
before  them.  Under  his  personal  direction  the  24-pounders 
had  silenced  the  enemy's  guns  on  the  left  and  later  those  at 
Shiloh  Meeting  House. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch,  199 

At  4  p.  m.  SHKKMAX  and  his  fighters  had  the  glorious  satis 
faction  of  occupying  their  original  front  line  and  of  seeing  the 
enemy  in  full  retreat.  He  directed  all  his  brigades  to  at  once 
resume  their  old  camps." 

Several  times  during  the  action  his  supply  of  ammunition 
became  exhausted,  notwithstanding  General  Grant's  constant 
forwarding  of  supplies. 

At  a  critical  pass  SHERMAN  urged  his  regiments  to  stand  fast, 
although  out  of  cartridges.  After  the  battle  he  specially  com 
mended  the  Fortieth  Illinois  and  Thirteenth  Missouri  "for 
holding  their  positions  under  heavy  fire,  notwithstanding  their 
cartridge  boxes  were  empty."  With  bayonets  fixed  these 


"The  following  is  an  outline  of  the  part  taken  by  each  of  SHKRMAN'S  brigades: 

The  First  (McDowell's)  Brigade,  at  first  alarm,  Sunday  morning,  each  regiment 
formed  on  its  color  line.  About  S  a.  in.  it  advanced  to  the  brow  of  the  hill  overlcx>king 
Shiloh  Hranch  and  joined  the  right  of  Bucklnnd's  brigade.  At  10  a.  m.  it  was  ordered 
to  retire  to  Purdy  road,  moving  to  the  left  to  connect  with  Buckland's  brigade  near  the 
crossroads.  Finding  a  Confederate  force  interposed,  it  engaged  and  drove  hack  the 
enemy,  moving  into  Crescent  field.  It  continued  its  movement  until  it  connected  with 
McClernand  at  11.308.  m.  At  12  m.  the  brigade  was  attacked  on  the  right  flank  and 
engaged  until  1.30  p.  m.  with  severe  loss.  At  2.30  p.  in.  it  retired  to  the  landing  and 
later  formed  !>ehiiid  Hurlbut. 

The  Second  (Stuart's)  Brigade  took  warning  from  its  pickets  of  the  approach  of  the 
enemy,  about  8  a.  m.,  and  instantly  formed  on  regimental  color  lines,  but  tx-ing 
exposed  to  artillery  fire  (Chalmers),  at  10  a.  in.  moved  to  the  left.  A  part  of  this 
brigade,  attacked  by  Jackson,  retired  from  the  field.  Stuart  in  person,  with  two  regi 
ments,  resisted  the  attacks  of  Chalmers  until  2  p.  in.,  when,  running  out  of  ammuni 
tion,  he  was  compelled  to  fall  back  to  the  landing,  reforming  at  the  log  house,  where 
part  of  this  brigade  was  engaged  in  resisting  Chalmers's  attack  on  Sunday  night. 
Stuart,  its  commander,  wounded  on  Sunday,  was  succeeded  by  Col.  T.  Kilby  Smith, 
who  fought  on  the  right  next  to  Lew.  Wallace  all  day  Monday. 

The  Third  (  Hildebrand's)  Brigade  formed  at  7  a.  in.  to  meet  the  enemy,  two  of  the 
regiments  in  advance  of  their  camps  in  the  valley  of  Shiloh  Branch.  The  brigade  was 
attacked  in  front  by  Cleburne's  and  Wood's  brigades.  This  attack  falling  on  the 
exposed  flanks  of  one  of  the  regiments,  in  an  effort  to  change  front  it  fell  back  disor 
ganized.  I'art  of  this  brigade,  reenforced  by  Kaith's  brigade  of  the  First  Division,  held 
its  position  for  some  time  and  then  also  fell  back  disorganized  and  was  not  in  line 
again  as  regiments.  Kight  companies  of  the  Fifty-third  Ohio,  which  reformed  at  the 
landing  on  Monday,  advanced  with  Marsh's  command  in  McClernand's  corps. 

The  Fourth  (Buckland's)  Brigade  from  alxmt  7  a.  m.  having  withstood  the  attacks  of 
Cleburne,  Anderson,  and  Johnson  until  10  a.  m.,  threatened  on  the  right  flank,  under 
orders,  fell  back  to  the  I'urdy  road.  In  doing  so  it  was  disorganized  and  scattered,  but 
fought  in  fragments  until  reorganized,  and  participated  in  the  4.30  p.  m.  affair.  On 
Monday  the  brigade,  reunited  with  Stuart's  brigade,  formed  SHERMAN'S  line  which 
advanced  to  the  right  of  McClernand's  camps,  thfiice  southwesterly  to  Shiloh  Meeting 
House,  where  the  brigade  occupied  its  old  camp  at  4  p.  m. 


2oo  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

brave  men  were  prepared  for  a  hand-to-hand  encounter  should 
the  enemy  invite  that  mode  of  fighting. 

In  commenting  upon  the  battle  and  giving  personal  credit, 
the  general  reported  that  McCook's  division  from  Kentucky 
drove  back  the  enemy  along  Corinth  road,  which  was  the  center 
of  the  part  of  the  field  where  Beauregard  commanded  in  person, 
supported  by  Bragg's,  Folk's,  and  Breckinridge's  divisions. 
General  Albert  Sidney  Johnston,  to  whom  SHERMAN  in  one  of 
his  earlier  opinions  referred  as  a  "real"  general,  and  who  was 
in  chief  command,  was  killed  at  2.30  p.  m.  on  the  first  day  on 
the  Union  left  by  a  minie  ball  severing  the  main  artery  of  the 
calf  of  the  leg. 

The  valorous  deeds  of  SHERMAN'S  men  is  the  more  remark 
able  when  it  is  remembered  that  the  regiments  were  perfectly 
new,  many  having  received  their  muskets  at  Paducah  and  none 
having  ever  before  been  under  fire.  These  facts  demonstrated 
the  magnetic  power  of  SHERMAN. 

The  regiments  of  his  division  in  action  and  which  suffered 
losses  were: 

Infantry:  Illinois,  Fortieth,  Fifty-fifth;  Iowa,  Sixth;  Ohio, 
Forty-sixth,  Forty-eighth,  Fifty-third,  Fifty-fourth,  Fifty- 
seventh,  Seventieth,  Seventy-first,  and  Seventy-seventh. 

Artillery:  Taylor's,  Behr's,  and  Waterhouse's  batteries. 

Cavalry:   Fourth  Illinois. 

His  losses  were:  Killed — officers,  16;  men,  309.  Wounded — 
officers,  52;  men,  1,225.  Missing — officers,  7;  men,  292.  Total, 
i .901 . 

Total  force  of  SHERMAN'S  (5)  division  (April  6-7),  8,580. 

In  the  entire  battle  the  national  loss  was:  Officers  and  men 
killed,  1,754;  wounded,  8,408;  prisoners,  2,885;  total,  13,047, 
of  which  number  General  Buell's  army  lost  2,103,  leaving 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  201 

Grant's  loss  10,944,  which  General  SHKRMAX  regarded  the 
proper  proportion  of  fighting  by  each  army. 

The  enemy  captured  8  of  SHERMAN'S  18  guns  in  action  on 
Sunday,  and  SHERMAN  captured  the  same  number  on  Monday. 
The  entire  loss  of  the  enemy  was  10,699. 

Of  the  national  forces  the  strength  of  Grant's  five  divisions 
engaged  was  39,830  men.  The  enemy  had  43,968,  with  the 
momentum  of  attack  until  2.30  p.  in.  Sunday,  when  General 
Johnston  was  killed. 

SELF- VINDICATION. 

Iii  after  years  General  SHERMAN  frequently  stated  that  he 
had  made  up  his  mind  in  the  first  battle  to  demonstrate  to  his 
countrymen  how  far  the  infamous  stories  of  "insanity"  were 
true.  He  regarded  his  part  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  named 
after  his  camp,  in  the  thickest  of  the  fray  as  his  answer  to  the 
allegation.  He  also  added: 

By  this  time  the  good  people  North  had  l>egun  to  have  their  eyes  opened 
and  to  give  us  in  the  field  more  faith  and  support. 

The  men  utterly  exhausted  by  the  time  of  the  regaining  of 
their  camp,  the  division  was  unable  to  follow  the  retreating 
enemy,  who  could  l>e  seen  in  dense  masses  getting  out  of  reach 
in  the  greatest  confusion. 

The  men  of  the  North  held  their  ground.  It  was  the  first 
real  test  of  determination  under  fire.  The  prestige  was  won. 
From  this  point  it  l)ecame  a  game  of  grand  war.  The  armies 
were  of  equal  bravery;  victory  resolved  itself  into  skill  and 
generalship. 

Next  day  after  the  battle  (April  8),  in  a  reconnoissance  of 
cavalry  and  two  brigades  of  infantry  on  the  Corinth  road,  the 
deserted  camps  which  were  destroyed  showed  a  very  large  force 


2O2  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

engaged;  also  the  guns  taken  in  the  battle  were  found  broken  up 
and  abandoned,  280  Confederate  wounded  were  captured  and 
50  of  our  own  recovered. 

General  SHERMAN  referred  in  after  life  to  the  criticisms  on 
this  battle,  which  seemed  "to  be  sustained  by  hasty  reports  of 
officers  at  the  steamboat  landing."  He  mentions,  however, 
specifically  seeing  General  Grant  on  the  field  at  10  a.  m.  on  the 
first  da 3",  when  he  was  desperately  engaged,  but  had  checked 
the  assault  of  the  enemy  and  was  holding  his  ground,  which 
gave  his  commanding  officer  great -satisfaction,  as  matters  were 
not  so  favorable  on  the  left. 

The  spot  upon  which  stood  SHERMAX,  surrounded  by  his 
unconquerable  men  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  in  defense  of 
the  American  Union,  gave  name  to  the  first  and  fiercest  of  the 
decisive  battles  of  the  civil  war  in  America. 

THE    POSSIBILITIES    OF   SHILOH. 

This  success  wisely  utilized  might  have  determined  the  strug 
gle  in  that  western  field  of  operations,  then  and  there.  The 
enemy  was  forced  to  evacuate  Columbus,  his  last  stronghold  in 
Kentucky.  From  his  new  position  at  Island  No.  10,  in  the 
Mississippi  River,  after  a  land  and  gunboat  attack,  he  was  driven 
with  the  loss  of  a  large  part  of  his  force. 

The  open  way  down  that  great  artery  of  national  life  was 
inviting  to  a  further  successful  move.  General  Halleck,  still  in 
command  as  chief  from  St.  Louis,  transferred  the  army  cooper 
ating  with  the  flotilla  from  the  Mississippi  to  the  Tennessee. 

The  flotilla,  which  in  cooperation  with  the  Army  of  the  Mis 
sissippi  had  performed  such  wonders  at  Island  No.  10  unsup 
ported  by  a  land  force,  found  itself  held  up  by  the  ponderous 
batteries  of  Fort  Pillow,  which  defended  the  city  of  Memphis 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  203 

50  miles  below,  necessitating  an  intricate  concert  of  movements 
overland. 

The  capture  of  Memphis,  then  entirely  feasible,  by  the  same 
force  which  reduced  Island  No.  10  would  have  opened  the  way 
to  the  flotilla  of  Foote  to  shake  hands  across  the  bows  of  the  fleet 
of  Farragut  at  Yicksburg. 

After  Shiloh,  in  order  to  be  prepared  for  the  offensive  at  any 
moment,  SHKKMAN  consolidated  his  division  of  four  brigades 
into  three.  First,  Gen.  Morgan  L.  Smith;  second,  Col.  J.  A. 
McDowell;  third,  Brig.  Gen.  J.  \V.  Denver. 

MAJOR-GENERAL   OF    VOLUNTEERS — A    NEW   SHUFFLE. 

[IS62.] 

In  recognition  of  his  heroic  conduct  at  Shiloh  SHERMAN  was 
promoted  to  the  three-starred  badge  of  rank,  as  major-general 
of  volunteers. 

About  the  same  time  the  commander  in  chief  for  the  first 
time  appeared  on  the  scene  of  action,  took  command  of  all  the 
armies  and  "reorganized,"  Grant,  the  captor  of  Henry  and 
Donelson  and  commander  at  Shiloh,  "second  in  command," 
"  with  no  defined  duty  or  authority."  Employing  SHERMA>  's 
words: 

For  more  than  a  month  he  thus  remained  without  any  apparent 
authority,  frequently  visiting  me  and  others  and  rarely  complaining,  but  I 
could  see  that  he  felt  deeply  the  indignity  of  the  insult  heaped  upon  him. 

Iii  this  new  shuffle  with  his  division  of  the  old  army  of  the 
Tennessee  SHERMAN  fell  in  the  right  wing  under  Gen.  George 
H.  Thomas,  with  whom  he  had  always  acted  in  perfect  har 
mony,  having  been  classmates  and  having  served  together  in 
the  old  army  and  in  California. 

It  should  be  mentioned  in  this  arrangement  Gen.  Thomas 
\V.  Sherman,  having  the  same  initials,  inverted,  of  our  hero, 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 14 


204  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

without  even  remote  family  relationship,  yet  which  often  cau^:e 
great  confusion,  was  assigned  to  the  same  wing.  During  these 
delays  the  enemy  found  ample  time  for  reorganization,  accumu 
lation  of  supplies,  and  generally  getting  away,  in  defeat,  with 
all  the  advantages  gained  by  the  Union  victories  on  the  Ten 
nessee  and  the  Mississippi. 

SHERMAN    AT    CORINTH. 

The  enemy  had  concentrated  at  Corinth,  22  miles  distant. 

The  national  forces  at  the  end  of  April  were  concentrated 
between  Snake  Creek  on  the  right  and  the  Tennessee  River  at 
Hamburg  on  the  left,  100,000  strong,  now  up  to  one-half  the 
full  strength  of  that  ' '  insane  request ' '  of  SHERMAN  only  six 
short  months  before. 

In  the  movement  on  Corinth  which  now  began  SHERMAN 
held  the  position  of  honor  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  right 
wing. 

On  May  19,  within  2  miles  of  its  northern  entrenchments, 
SHERMAN  drew  the  first  blood  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  2yth  he  received  orders  from  Halleck  "  to  send  a  force 
the  next  day  to  drive  the  rebels  from  the  house  in  the  front  on 
the  Corinth  road;  to  drive  in  their  pickets  as  far  as  possible, 
and  to  make  a  strong  demonstration  on  Corinth  itself. ' '  SHER 
MAN  not  only  carried  the  position  with  a  sweep,  but  pursued  to 
the  crest  of  a  ridge,  from  which  he  could  overlook  the  enemy's 
works  and  hear  the  drum  rolls  and  the  bugle  calls  inside. 
Generals  Grant  and  Thomas,  anticipating  something  brilliant, 
accompanied  him  to  witness  the  affair.  In  this  action  SHERMAN 
requested  the  assistance  of  Generals  Veatch  and  John  A.  L,ogan, 
respectively  from  Hurlbut's  and  McClernand's  divisions. 

It  was  the  bringing  of  these  t\vo  soldiers  to  the  front  under 
the  immediate  eye  of  Grant  and  SHERMAN. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  205 

On  the  29th  the  whistling  of  locomotives  and  tremendous 
explosions  suggested  something  unusual.  SHERMAN,  ever  upon 
the  alert,  received  orders  to  advance  his  division  and  "  feel  the 
enemy,"  if  still  on  his  front.  Hastily  pressing  forward  he 
found  the  parapets  vacant  and  pushed  "  straight  for  the  aban 
doned  town." 

He  at  once  sent  one  of  his  brigades  in  pursuit,  which  was, 
however,  barred  from  further  rapid  movement  at  Tuscumbia 
River  bridge,  4  miles,  which  was  burned.  He  found  the  woods 
full  of  deserters,  but  instead  of  encumbering  himself  with  them 
as  prisoners  extended  the  fatherly  advice  "to  go  home  and 
stay  there." 

The  movement  on  Corinth  was  the  last  of  General  HalleckV. 
strategy.  In  the  latest  reorganization  he  went  East  and  Grant 
remained  West. 

The  possession  of  Corinth  formed  an  excellent  base,  being  at 
the  junction  of  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  and  Memphis  and  Charles 
ton  railroads  and  the  focal  point  of  wagon  roads  leading  into 
Mississippi  and  other  objective  points  of  any  strategical  move 
ments  in  an  extensive  surrounding  area. 

By  way  of  comment  after,  SHERMAN  expressed  the  opinion — 

Had  Halleck  held  his  force  as  a  unit  he  could  have  gone  to  Mobile  or 
Yicksburg,  and  by  one  move  have  solved  the  whole  Mississippi  problem. 

This  was  left  for  Grant  and  SHERMAN,  and  at  a  vast  and 
useless  outlay  of  blood  and  treasure. 

But  again,  as  at  Shiloh  and  Island  No.  10,  no  sooner  was 
Corinth  taken  and  "the  real  opportunity  opened  to  this  really 
grand  army"  than  it  was  again  scattered.  Pope  was  called 
East  and  his  army  (Mississippi)  broken  up.  Thomas  was 
reassigned  to  his  old  division  in  the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  and, 
with  Buell  in  command,  moved  to  Chattanooga,  while  Halleck, 
with  his  reduced  force,  remained  at  Corinth. 


206  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

HOW    SHFCRMAN    SAVED    GRANT    TO    THE    COUNTRY. 

About  this  time,  during  a  visit  of  SHERMAN  to  Halleck's 
headquarters,  the  latter  casually  referred  to  the  intended  de 
parture  the  next  morning  of  General  Grant  on  thirty  days' 
leave,  alleging  that  to  him  the  cause  was  not  known.  SHERMAN 
readily  surmised  it. 

Hastening  to  General  Grant's  camp  on  the  Monterey  road, 
he  was  surprised  to  find  him  located  in  an  obscure  wood, 
occupying,  with  his  staff,  five  small  tents,  with  camp  chests 
and  equipage  piled  around,  and  Grant  himself  in  the  midst, 
seated  on  a  camp  stool,  assorting  letters. 

"  General,"  said  SHERMAN,  having  dismounted,  "  is  it  true 
you  are  going  away?  ' ' 

"Yes,"  replied  Grant,  going  on  with  his  assorting. 

"And  may  I  ask  the  reason?"  persisted  this  faithful  friend. 

"SHERMAN,  you  know.  You  know  that  I  am  in  the  way 
here.  I  have  stood  it  as  long  as  I  can.  I  can  endure  it  no 
longer." 

' '  Where  are  you  going?" 

"To  St.  Louis." 

"Have  you  any  business  there?" 

"Not  a  bit." 

This  tried  comrade  in  arms  begged  him  in  most  earnest  terms 
"  not  to  quit,"  illustrating  his  case  by  his  own,  adding: 

' '  Before  the  battle  of  Shiloh  I  was  cast  down  by  a  mere 
newspaper  assertion  of  being  crazy;  that  single  battle  gave  me 
new  life,  and  now  I  am  in  high  feather." 

Grant  was  silent  for  some  moments,  but,  consciously  impressed, 
at  length  gave  utterance  to  his  resolve: 

"SHERMAN,  I  promise  to  wait,  or  not  to  go  without  seeing 
you  again." 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  207 

What  an  ante-climax  in  the  career  of  the  two  greatest  soldiers 
of  the  civil  war! 

A  few  days  later,  SHERMAN  having  received  orders  to  occupy 
Chewalla,  14  miles  northwest  of  Corinth,  to  repair  and  protect 
the  railroad  and  reconnoiter  to  Grand  Junction,  50  miles  beyond, 
Grant  formally  accepted  his  advice  in  a  letter  of  June  6,  to 
which  SHKRMAX  on  the  same  day  from  his  camp  made  this 
characteristic  response: 

I  am  rejoiced  at  your  conclusion  to  remain,  for  you  could  not  be  quiet 
at  home  for  a  week  when  armies  were  moving,  and  rest  could  not  relieve 
your  mind  of  the  gnawing  sensation  that  injustice  had  been  done  you. 

The  mistake  of  withdrawing  the  Army  of  the  Mississippi 
from  its  victorious  career  at  Island  Xo.  10  was  not  expiated  by 
the  strategic  effect  of  the  successful  Corinth  operations  in  com 
pelling  the  enemy's  evacuation  of  the  formidable  defenses  of 
Fort  Pillow  (June  i  ),  the  important  city  of  Memphis  (June  7), 
and  destruction  of  the  enemy's  gunboats  now  wedged  between 
Memphis  on  the  north  and  Yicksburg  on  the  south. 

About  two  weeks  previously  (May  24)  Farragut  had  taken 
New  Orleans  and  advanced  his  fleet  as  far  north  as  that  strong 
hold  on  the  banks  of  the  great  river. 

In  the  language  of  SHERMAN — 

It  now  looks  as  if  the  river  has  been  captured.      [*  *]  It  was  a  fatal 

mistake,  however,  that  halted  General  Halleck  at  Corinth  and  led  him  to 
disperse  and  scatter  the  best  materials  for  a  fighting  army  that  up  to  that 
date  had  been  assembled  in  the  West. 

During  the  last  half  of  June  and  first  half  of  July  SHKRMAX 
had  his  now  famous  division  stretched  between  Grand  Junction, 
Lagrange,  Moscow,  and  Lafayette,  along  the  Ixmndary  between 
Tennessee  and  Mississippi,  engaged  in  the  task  of  railroad 
repair  instead  of  thrashing  the  enemy.  He  found  some  diver 
sion,  however,  in  fighting  cavalry  ' '  to  save  the  railroad,  and  also 
planters  to  save  their  negroes  and  fences."  The  latter  were 
bent  upon  raising  corn,  even  between  the  hostile  lines  of  the 


2o8  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

opposing  armies,  as  the  only  means  of  keeping  their  friends  in 
the  field. 

It  was  small  business  for  one  of  the  greatest  military  heroes 
of  the  century,  but  he  uttered  not  a  word  of  objection. 

IX    COMMAND    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    MEMPHIS. 

About  the  middle  of  July,  at  Moscow,  SHERMAN  received  a 
dispatch  from  Halleck  communicating  information  of  the  defeat 
of  McClellan  by  L,ee,  announcing,  as  he  had  been  summoned 
to  Washington,  his  command  would  be  transferred  to  General 
Grant,  who  would  come  from  Memphis  to  Corinth,  and  SHER 
MAN  should  go  into  Memphis  to  take  command  of  the  district 
of  that  name. 

It  was  while  SHERMAN  was  in  camp  (June  23 )  at  Lafayette 
that  General  Grant,  accompanied  by  his  staff  and  a  small  escort, 
halted  on  his  way  from  Memphis  to  Corinth,  having  been 
assigned  to  the  command  of  the  district  of  West  Tennessee. 
Up  to  this  time  SHERMAN  had  received  orders  direct  from 
Halleck.  In  the  new  combinations  he  fell  under  command 
of  Grant,  in  which  relation  he  stood  until  the  end'  of  the  war. 
General  SHERMAX  entered  Memphis  on  July  21  with  his  own 
and  Hurlbut's  divisions. 

The  victorious  army  which  General  Halleck  had  assembled 
was  now  on  the  defensive. 

'  The  reorganized  enemy  was  prepared  to  assume  an  offensive 
attitude  against  Nashville  and  Louisville,  which  had  forced 
Buell  back  to  the  Ohio  at  the  latter  city.  With  the  reenforce- 
ments  brought  by  Van  Dorn  and  Price  from  west  of  the  Missis 
sippi  and  a  large  body  of  cavalry  centered  at  Holly  Springs, 
the  enemy  was  in  condition  to  act. 

To  meet  this  force  and  divert  its  strategic  purposes  General 
Grant  had  about  50,000  men.  With  these  he  inaugurated  a 
series  of  concerted  movements,  the  first  contact  being  at  luka, 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch,  209 

where,  after  some  desperate  fighting,  victory  declared  for  the 
national  forces. 

At  the  end  of  September  SHKRMAX  with  alxnit  6,000  men 
still  occupied  Memphis.  With  his  entire  force  Grant  held  a 
front  of  150  miles,  guarded  200  miles  of  railroad,  and  as  much 
of  the  Mississippi  River. 

The  army  under  Van  Dorn  with  40,000  men  was  free  to 
strike  as  he  pleased.  SHKRMAX,  who  had  greatly  strengthened 
Memphis  as  a  measure  of  precaution,  moved  out  under  orders 
to  threaten  the  enemy's  stores,  especially  at  Holly  Springs. 

On  October  i  General  Grant,  who  occupied  a  central  point  at 
Jackson,  Tenn.,  with  a  small  reserve,  felt  assured  of  an  attack 
on  Bolivar  or  Corinth.  The  next  day  Van  Dorn  with  his  entire 
army  was  before  Corinth,  which  was  held  by  Rosecrans  with 
20,000  men,  and  made  a  fierce  attempt,  his  attacking  column  at 
one  time  having  carried  part  of  the  defenses.  On  the  3d,  how 
ever,  his  rout  was  complete,  with  a  loss  of  6,000  men.  On  the 
5th  Ord  again  defeated  the  fleeing  enemy  at  the  Hatchie  cross 
ing  to  the  south.  Thejdelay  in  this  movement,  for  which,  how 
ever,  General  Ord  was  not  responsible,  caused  great  indignation 
on  the  part  of  General  Grant.  It  saved  Van  Dorn  his  army 
from  complete  destruction  or  disintegration,  but  led  to  the 
appointment  of  Lieutenant-General  Pemberton  in  his  place. 

Grant  placed  under  SHKRMAX'S  command  a  number  of  new 
regiments.  Out  of  these  he  organized  the  new  brigades,  which 
he  officered  by  men  who  had  come  under  his  own  eye  for  skill 
and  experience  in  the  field  and  battle,  and  found  himself  at 
the  head  of  a  really  formidable  body  of  veterans. 

THK    RULER    OF    A    CITY. 

The  remarkable  range  of  genius  and  application  with  which 
SHKRMAX  was  endowed  now  takes  a  novel  departure  in  his 
new  attitude  as  the  ruler  of  a  citv. 


2io  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

Under  instructions  he  took  post,  as  we  have  seen,  at  Memphis. 
With  his  fifth  division  he  occupied  Fort  Pickering  near  by, 
with  Hurlbut's  division  a  few  miles  below  on  the  banks  of  the 
Mississippi. 

For  the  next  five  months  (July  to  December  3,  1862)  his 
efforts  were  directed  to  bringing  order  out  of  chaos  in  the 
affairs  of  the  community  about  him.  He  reopened  stores, 
churches,  schools,  theaters,  and  all  else  in  the  everyday  lives 
of  the  people,  and  restored  the  mayor  and  municipal  functions. 

An  insight  into  the  breadth  of  SHERMAN'S  methods  is  set 
forth  in  his  official  declarations. 

Two  days  after  his  occupation  of  the  city,  in  reply  to  a  peti 
tion  of  physicians  asking  a  modification  of  an  order  of  his 
predecessor  permitting  the  departure  south  of  all  persons  sub 
ject  to  the  conscription  laws  of  the  Southern  Confederacy,  he 
wrote: 

It  is  now  sunset,  and  all  who  have  not  availed  themselves  of  General 
Hovey's  authority  and  who  remain  in  Memphis  are  stipposed  to  be  loyal 
and  true  men.  I  can  not  allow  the  personal  convenience  of  even  a  large 
class  of  ladies  to  influence  me  in  my  determination  to  make  Memphis  a 
safe  place  of  operations  of  an  army,  and  all  people  who  are  unfriendly 
should  forthwith  prepare  to  depart  in  such  direction  as  I  may  hereafter 
indicate. 

Concluding  with  a  burst  of  irony: 

Surgeons  should  not  reside  within  the  limits  of  an  army  which  they 
regard  as  hostile.  The  situation  would  be  too  delicate. 

The  next  day  in  his  refreshing  manner  of  not  making  many 
words  nor  of  mincing  those  which  he  employed,  he  dealt  with 
the  press  in  a  serio-comic  vein: 

It  is  well  [wrote  he  to  an  editor  of  prominence]  to  come  to  an  under 
standing  at  once  with  the  press,  as  wTell  as  the  people  of  Memphis,  which 
I  am  ordered  to  command,  which  means  to  control  for  the  interest,  wel 
fare,  and  glory  of  the  whole  Government  of  the  United  States. 


Shcnuan:  A  Memorial  Skctcli.  2 1 1 

Referring  to  a  sketch  intended  to  be  complimentary,  but  full 
of  errors,  he  wrote: 

I  want  no  more,  as  I  don't  desire  my  biography  to  he  written  till  I  am 
dead.  It  is  enough  for  the  world  to  know  that  I  live,  and  as  a  soldier 
hound  to  ohey  the  orders  of  my  superiors,  the  laws  of  my  country,  and  to 
venerate  its  constitution;  and  where  discretion  is  given  me  I  shall  exercise 
it  wisely  and  account  to  my  superior. 

After  a  highly  regaling  epistolary  presentation  of  the  duties 
of  editors,  based  upon  a  most  comical  retrospect  of  the  ignor 
ance  of  facts  shown  respecting  his  own  career,  he  naively 
continues: 

I  will  attend  to  the  judge,  mayor,  board  of  aldermen,  and  policemen  in 
good  time.  Use  your  influence  to  establish  system,  order,  and 

government.  If  I  find  the  press  of  Memphis  actuated  by  high  principles 
and  a  sole  devotion  to  their  country  I  will  be  their  best  friend,  but  if  I  find 
them  abusive  personally,  they  had  better  look  out,  for  I  regard  such  persons 
as  greater  enemies  to  their  country  than  the  men  who,  from  mistaken 
sense  of  State  pride,  have  taken  up  muskets  and  fight  us  as  hard  as  we 
care  about. 

Three  days  later  to  the  mayor  whom  he  restored: 

I  have  the  most  unbounded  respect  for  the  civil  law,  courts,  and 
authority.  I  am  glad  to  find  in  Memphis  a  mayor  and  municipal  author 
ity  not  only  in  existence  but  in  the  coexercise  of  ini]K>rtant  functions,  and 
I  shall  endeavor  to  restore  one  or  more  civil  tribunals  for  the  arbitration 
of  contracts  and  punishment  of  crime,  which  the  military  will  have 
neither  time  nor  inclination  to  interfere  with. 

On  these  points,  elaborating  succinctly,  he  shows  in  a  nut 
shell  his  mastery  of  municipal  administration.  This  phase  of 
his  management  and  expansion  of  city  government  is  more 
broadly  presented  in  his  letter  of  instructions  of  August  7  to 
the  assistant  quartermaster  at  Memphis  on  the  subject  of  con 
fiscation  and  taking  possession  of  and  applying  the  proceeds  of 
property  vacated  by  disloyal  persons;  also  his  answers  to  certain 
questions  propounded  by  the  agent  conducting  this  business. 


212  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

THE    COTTON    QUESTION. 

On  August  1 1  he  sent  a  long  communication  to  the  Secre 
tary  of  the  Treasury,  who  had  invited  "his  discussion  of  the 
cotton  question."  This,  as  all  know  who  were  there,  was  one 
of  the  most  difficult  subjects  with  which  department  and  dis 
trict  commanders  in  the  Lower  Mississippi  and  Gulf  fields  of 
military  movements  had  to  contend. 

In  the  opportunity  officially  opened,  SHERMAN  began  opera 
tions  by  stating  (Salmon  P.  Chase  was  then  Secretary),  "  I  will 
write  plainly  and  slowly,  because  I  know  you  have  no  time  to 
listen  to  trifles."  The  entire  document  shows  not  only  the 
scope  of  a  great  soldier,  but  of  a  public  economist,  and  is  a 
valuable  contribution  not  only  to  the  literature  of  the  war,  but 
on  the  politico-military  phases  of  it.  We  are  simply  dealing  in 
epigrams  from  the  general  mass.  He  was  being  pursued  by  a 
cloud  of  speculators  up  to  all  the  tricks  of  the  trade.  The 
business  had  been  taken  from  the  military  and  turned  over  to 
an  agent  of  the  Treasury. 

There  is  not  a  garrison  in  Tennessee  [he  wrote]  where  a  man  can  go 
beyond  the  sight  of  the  flagstaff  without  being  shot  or  captured. 

It  so  happened  that  the  people  had  cotton.  They  did  not  and  could 
not  dream  that  we  would  pay  money  for  it. 

But  commercial  enterprise  soon  discovered  that  10  cents  would  buy  a 
pound  of  cotton  behind  our  Army,  that  4  cents  would  take  it  to  Boston, 
where  they  could  receive  for  it  30  cents  in  gold. 

When  here  they  discovered  that  salt,  bacon,  powder,  firearms,  percus- 
sion'caps,  etc.,  were  worth  as  much  as  gold,  and,  strange  to  say,  this  traffic 
was  not  only  permitted,  but  encouraged. 

Before  we,  in  the  interior,  could  know  it,  thousands  of  barrels  of  salt  and 
millions  of  dollars  of  money  had  been  disbursed.  I  doubt  not  Bragg's 
army  at  Tupelo,  and  Van  Dorn's  at  Vicksburg,  received  enough  salt  to 
make  bacon,  without  which  they  could  not  have  moved  their  armies  in 
mass.  From  10,000  to  20,000  fresh  arms  and  cartridges  have  been  gotten, 
I  am  satisfied.  As  soon  as  I  got  to  Memphis  I  ordered,  as  to  my  own 
command,  that  gold,  silver,  and  Treasury  notes  were  contraband  of  war. 

Every    gold   dollar   spent    for   cotton    is    sent   to    the    seaboard   to    be 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  213 

exchanged  for  hank  notes  or  Confederate  scrip,  which  will  buy  goods 
here.  I  required  cotton  to  he  paid  for  in  notes  by  an  obligation  to  pay  at 
the  end  of  the  war  or  by  a  deposit  of  the  price  in  the  hands  of  a  trustee, 
viz,  the  United  States  quartermaster.  Under  these  rules  cotton  is  l>eing 
obtained  and  yet  the  enemy  receives  no  aid  or  comfort. 

I  may  not  appreciate  the  foreign  aspect  of  the  question.  [Apparently, 
from  his  views  expressed,  he  iinderstcx*!  it  thoroughly.] 

The  Southern  people  know  this  full  well,  and  will  only  accept  the 
alliance  of  England  in  order  to  get  arms  and  ammunition  in  exchange 
for  their  cotton,  as  the  South  knows  that  in  Old  England  her  slaves  and 
slavery  will  receive  no  more  encouragement  than  in  New  Kngland. 

On  September  4  be  informed  the  Assistant  Adjutant-General 
at  Washington  that  lie  had  modified  his  first  instructions  alxwt 
cotton  as  ordered,  adding: 

Trade  in  cotton  is  now  free,  but  in  all  else  I  endeavor  so  to  control  that 
the  enemy  shall  receive  no  contraband  goods  or  any  aid  or  comfort. 

During  the  same  month,  in  reply  to  persistent  complaints,  he 
concludes: 

I  know,  moreover,  in  some  instances  here  our  soldiers  are  complained  of; 
I  also  know  that  they  have  been  insulted  bv  sneering  remarks. 
People  who  use  such  language  must  seek  redress  through  some  one  else, 
for  I  will  not  tolerate  insults  to  our  country  or  cause. 

MEMPHIS    AS    A    MILITARY    HASK. 

In  the  midst  of  these  harassing  duties  SHERMAN*  had  brought 
his  city  up  to  the  position  of  one  of  the  most  important  depots 
of  supplies  on  the  gjeat  river,  especially,  situated  as  it  was,  near 
the  seat  of  present  and  prospective  operations.  Fort  Pickering 
had  been  strengthened  and  made  defensible  by  a  minimum 
garrison. 

Things  by  November  liegan  to  again  look  aggressive  with 
SHERMAN*.  About  the  middle  of  that  month  General  Grant, 
from  Lagrange,  whence  he  was  operating  south  toward  Jack 
son  and  Vicksburg,  dispatched:  "Meet  me  at  Columbus,  Ky. 
If  you  have  a  good  map,  bring  it."  At  that  famous  meeting, 
the  two  officers  being  closeted  alone,  Grant  explained  that  he 


214  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

proposed  to  move  against  Pemberton,  then  intrenched  on  a  line 
behind  the  Tallahatchie  River,  below  Holly  Springs.  As  a  con 
certed  movement  he  wished  SHERMAN,  leaving  a  proper  garri 
son  at  Memphis,  to  form  a  junction  with  him  at  that  point. 
SHERMAN  suggested  a  contributory  expedition  from  Helena, 
Ark.,  toward  Grenada,  Miss.,  to  threaten  Pemberton's  rear, 
which  was  accepted. 

The  SHERMAN  movement  got  under  way  in  nine  days,  com 
mand  reorganized  and  equipped,  Memphis  provided  for,  and  all 
secure  in  his  rear,  and  was  in  communication  with  Grant  at 
Holly  Springs  eight  days  (December  2)  later.  Pemberton, 
compelled  by  these  strategic  moves  to  let  go  his  Tallahatchie 
line  with  all  its  costly  defenses,  re-formed  on  the  Yalabusha, 
near  Grenada.  At  Oxford,  SHERMAN,  with  his  entire  command, 
reported  to  Grant. 

THE    RIVER    CAMPAIGN    AGAINST    VICKSBURG. 
[186-2-(>:{.] 

At  this  point  the  two  commanders  had  another  of  their  "con 
fidential  talks,"  and  as  a  result  on  December  3  SHERMAN  was 
assigned  to  the  command  of  the  right  \ving  of  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee.  The  possession  of  the  Mississippi  was  the  posses 
sion  of  the  heart  not  only  of  the  continent  but  of  the  territory 
and  trade  of  the  United  States. 

The  capture  of  Vicksburg,  the  stronghold  of  the  lower  river, 
was  therefore  an  imperative  necessity.  He  was  to  return  to 
Memphis,  organize  his  forces,  and,  in  cooperation  with  Admiral 
Porter's  fleet,  descend  the  river  to  make  a  lodgment  up  the 
Yazoo,  and  capture  Vicksburg  by  surprise  from  the  rear  while 
the  garrison  was  small.  Meanwhile  Grant  from  Oxford  would 
handle  Pemberton,  keeping  him  away  from  Vicksburg  or  pursue 
him  if  he  retreated. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch,  215 

For  his  task  SHKKMAN  had  alxnit   33,000  men — 21,000  his 
own  and  12,000  part  of  Curtis's  men — west  of  the  Mississippi 
all  of  which  Grant  authorized   him   "to  organize   in    his  own 
way." 

On  December  22  the  entire  imposing  procession  of  transports 
and  convoys,  several  gunboats  in  the  lead,  others  distributed 
through  the  column,  and  several  forming  a  rear  guard,  steamed 
to  Friars  Point  as  the  place  of  rendezvous,  and  thence  four  days 
after  ascended  the  Yazoo  a  distance  of  1 3  miles  to  a  position 
within  striking  distance  of  the  forts  on  Walnut  Hills,  which 
encircled  the  landward  side  of  the  city  as  far  as  Haines  Bluff. 
These  forts  were  manned  by  an  estimated  force  of  15,000  men. 
By  noon  of  the  29th,  the  time  set  for  assault,  a  combination  of 
natural  obstacles — fogs,  rains,  and  floods — added  to  the  strength 
of  the  position,  and  a  stronger  garrison  than  was  supposed  ren 
dered  all  efforts  fruitless.  Prudence,  decidedly  the  better  part 
of  valor  under  these  conditions,  dictated  withdrawal,  which  was 
accomplished  with  ease  on  the  night  of  New  Year's  Day  of  1863. 
The  reverberations  of  the  guns  of  Grant,  for  which  SHERMAN 
had  listened  night  and  day  from  Yazoo  City,  did  not  materialize. 
From  the  time  of  leaving  Memphis  he  had  had  no  word  from  his 
chief.  It  was  evident  from  the  rapid  movement  of  trains, 
indicated  by  the  whistles  of  locomotives  entering  the  city,  and 
the  new  men  manning  the  batteries  that  something  not  counted 
in  their  plans  at  Oxford  had  transpired.  But  one  course  was 
left — prompt  withdrawal  before  a  superior  force. 

The  losses  sustained  in  this  attack  were  127  killed,  930 
wounded,  and  743  prisoners,  mostly  on  the  29th.  The  eneuw's 
loss,  fighting  from  behind  breastworks,  was  slight. 


2i6  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

COMMAND    OF    THE    SECOND    CORPS,   ARMY  OF    THE    MISSISSIPPI. 

[1868.] 

At  the  same  time  General  McClernand  appeared  with  special 
orders  assigning  him  to  the  command  of  the  expeditionary 
forces  on  the  Mississippi.  SHERMAN,  ever  actuated  by  the 
most  exalted  patriotism,  accepted  the  unexpected  and  ex 
plained  what  had  been  done.  From  this  source  he  first  learned 
that  Van  Dorn  had  captured  Grant's  stores  at  Holly  Springs  nine 
days  before  (December  20),  and  compelled  Grant  to  fall  back, 
which  accounted  for  the  sudden  and  suspected  reenforcements 
of  the  defenses  of  Vicksburg.  Grant  had  sent  word  to  SHER 
MAN  of  the  mishap,  which,  however,  did  not  reach  him  until 
after  his  attempt.  Under  the  McClernand  order,  January  5, 
1863,  SHERMAN  assumed  command  of  the  second  of  the  two 
corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Mississippi.  • 

The  assignment  of  McClernand  to  the  command  of  this 
army  was  by  confidential  order  of  the  War  Department  of 
October  21,  1862,  indorsed  by  President  Lincoln.  This  transfer 
of  command  possessed  sufficient  material  to  set  aflame  another 
batch  of  fabrications  of  "failure,"  "repulse,"  "bungling,"  etc. 

The  best  military  critics  then  and  since  pronounce  the 
handling  of  the  movement  skillful  and  the  ground  impreg 
nable.  In  SHERMAN'S  own  words: 

Although  in  all  official  reports  I  assumed  the  whole  responsibility,  I 
have  ever  felt  that  had  General  Morgan  promptly  and  skillfully  sustained 
the  lead  of  Frank  Blair's  brigade  we  should  have  broken  the  rebel  line 
and  effected  a  lodgment  in  the  hills  behind  Vicksburg;  [adding]  but  had 
we  succeeded,  we  might  have  been  in  a  worse  trap  when  Pemberton's 
whole  force  was  released. 

The  new  commander  was  for  "cutting  his  way  to  the  sea," 
to  which  SHERMAN  sardonically  replied,  "but  the  modus 
operandi  of  it  was  not  so  clear." 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  217 

ARKANSAS    POST. 

The  audacious  dashes  of  the  enemy  from  Arkansas  Post  upon 
steamboats  plying  up  and  down  the  river  without  convoys  sug 
gested  to  SHERMAN  the  advantage  of  destroying  that  trouble 
some  position.  To  this  his  new  chief  assented.  The  morale 
of  the  men  of  SHERMAN'S  expedition,  owing  to  the  masterly 
control  of  the  complications  at  Chickasaw  Bluffs,  was  unaffected. 
On  January  8,  but  ten  days  after  the  withdrawal  from  the 
rear  of  Yicksburg,  the  entire  force,  men  and  boats,  was  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river,  the  next  day  within  striking  distance  of 
Fort  Hindman.  SHKRMAN  quickly  disembarking  his  troops 
moved  up  so  close  "to  the  fort  that  at  4  a.  m.,"  as  he  notes, 
' '  the  bugler  in  the  rebel  camp  sounded  as  pretty  a  reveille  as  I 
have  ever  listened  to. ' ' 

The  gunboats  having  opened  the  attack,  SHERMAN  assaulted 
across  an  open  field  under  a  brisk  fire  of  sharpshooters.  It  was 
not  long  before  a  white  flag  appeared  on  the  parapets  in  his 
front.  The  fort  was  taken,  together  with  i  so  dead  and  4,791 
prisoners,  and  dismantled.  The  loss  to  SHERMEN'S  corps  was 
519  all  told. 

On  January  13,  1863,  having  accomplished  its  purpose,  the 
expedition,  in  a  heavy  snow  storm,  fell  down  the  Arkansas 
River  to  Napoleon,  at  its  mouth. 

FORGING    AHEAD. 

The  relations  of  General  SHERMAN  to  military  events  were 
now  assuming  their  natural  proportions.  The  panic  at  Bull 
Run,  disasters  on  York  Peninsula,  and  varying  turn  of  affairs 
later  in  the  East,  might  have  resulted  in  disruption  or  equally 
fatal  compromise  but  for  the  successes  of  Forts  Henry  and 
Donelson,  the  decisive  field  of  Shiloh,  capture  of  Island  No.  10, 


2i8  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

triumphs  at  luka  and  Corinth,  and  occupation  of  Memphis  in 
the  West.  SHERMAN,  the  "rock  of  Shiloh,"  the  "ruler  of  a 
city,"  had  now  reached  a  place  in  military  movements  from 
which  his  greatness  as  a  soldier  and  military  statesman  had 
every  opportunity  of  development.  General  Grant  appreciated 
him  at  his  full  worth  and  on  every  occasion  sought  the  benefit 
of  his  judgment,  moral  aggressiveness,  physical  courage,  and 
indefatigable  personal  exertion  and  sacrifice. 

COMMAND    OF    THE    FIFTEENTH    ARMY    CORPS. 
[1862-63.] 

Under  orders  from  Washington,  December  18,  1862,  he  was 
assigned  to  command  of  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  Army  of 
the  Tennessee,  which  he  assumed  on  January  12,  1863. 

On  January  18,  1863,  while  moored  in  front  of  Napoleon, 
General  Grant  joined  the  fleet  and  land  force.  He  had  con 
trol  over  General  McClernand's  expeditionary  incident  by  rea 
son  of  his  general  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 
On  the  2ist  this  entire  force  proceeded  to  Milliken's  Bend. 

During  his  participation  in  the  attack  on  Arkansas  Post, 
SHERMAN  received  information  of  another  shake  up  in  the 
Western  armies  by  a  War  Department  order  (December  18, 
1862)  grouping  them  into  five  corps  d'armees,  four  of  which 
should  constitute  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  under  Grant,  the 
command  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps  in  the  field  being  assigned  to 
SHERMAN. 

Before  leaving  Napoleon  on  the  iSth,  General  Grant  ordered 
the  corps  of  SHERMAN  (Fifteenth)  and  McClernand  (Thir 
teenth)  to  return  to  the  movement  against  Vickburg,  with 
instructions  to  disembark  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river  and 
resume  \vork  on  the  canal  across  the  peninsula  opposite  Vicks- 
burg,  begun  the  summer  before,  with  the  purpose  of  opening  a 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  219 

way  for  gunboats  and  transports  below  without  encountering 
the  shore  batteries  of  the  city.  McPherson's  corps  (Seven 
teenth)  was  ordered  from  Memphis  to  Lake  Providence,  60 
miles  above.  General  Grant  in  person  took  command  of  the 
general  movement. 

The  canal  project,  which  occupied  January  and  February, 
was  not  a  success,  owing  to  the  deluge  of  waters,  which  flooded 
the  swollen  rivers  and  bayous  threatening  to  engulf  everything 
in  its  path.  The  entire  army  was  forced  to  seek  high  ground 
and  the  levees,  abreast  of  which  the  steamboats  lay  ready  to 
take  the  men  aboard  should  the  levees  be  swept  away. 

Early  in  February  two  gunboats  successfully  tested  the  feasi 
bility  of  running  the  batteries  at  the  city  by  the  main  channel 
of  the  river. 

OPERATION'S    ABOVE    VICKSBURG. 

SHERMAN'S  force  operating,  or  rather  digging,  on  the  pro 
posed  canal  opposite  Vicksburg  furnished  a  detail  of  500  men 
daily.  His  headquarters,  in  the  midst  of  the  rushing  waters, 
were  entirely  surrounded,  with  access  to  the  levee  only  by 
means  of  a  foot  walk  on  posts.  By  March  the  waters  had 
reached  a  point  which  not  only  imperiled  the  army  but  threat 
ened  to  wipe  it  out.  On  the  i6th  of  that  month  SHERMAN 
received  orders  from  Grant  to  reconnoiter  certain  bayous,  to 
determine  the  feasibility  of  getting  to  the  east  bank  of  the 
Yazoo  River  at  a  point  from  which  an  army  could  act  advan 
tageously  against  Vicksburg. 

In  pursuance  of  this  preliminary,  he  placed  at  his  disposal 
every  facility  of  steamboats  and  troops.  Admiral  Porter  in 
person  led  the  floating  part  of  the  reconnoissance.  After 
slow  progress,  Porter  found  himself  entangled  in  an  over 
hanging  forest  and  beset  by  a  severe  attack  of  infantry  and 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 15 


22O  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

artillery.  By  means  of  a  tissue  dispatch  concealed  in  a  plug  of 
tobacco,  intrusted  to  a  reliable  ' '  contraband, ' '  SHERMAX  received 
information  of  the  fleet's  extremity.  The  needed  succor  was 
immediately  hurried  forward,  SHERMAX  himself  paddling  about 
in  a  canoe,  giving  orders  and  getting  his  forces  together.  The 
night  was  dark.  When  he  again  disembarked,  having  made 
but  2^2  of  the  4  miles  necessary,  he  pushed  through  the  cane- 
break,  only  keeping  his  way  by  the  dim  light  of  candles  dis 
tributed  through  his  wet.  and  toiling  column,  until  it  reached 
the  open.  There  was  not  a  horse  in  the  command.  General, 
officers,  and  men  were  struggling  forward  together  in  water 
often  more  than  hip  deep.  The  drummer  boys  carried  their 
drums  on  their  heads  and  the  men  their  belts  and  cartridge 
boxes  around  their  necks.  In  the  words  of  SHERMAX,  "the 
soldiers  generally  were  glad  to  have  their  general  and  field 
officers  afoot,  but  we.  gave  them  a  fair  specimen  of  marching, 
accomplishing  about  21  miles  by  noon."  The  admiral's  guns 
were  sounding  fierce  and  rapidly.  The  forest  and  underbrush 
were  thick  with  guerrillas.  It  was  evident  that  the  enemy  pro 
posed  to  defend  A7icksburg  to  the  last  extremity. 

An  officer,  advancing  in  great  haste,  explained  the  situation 
of  the  fleet.  Offering  SHERMAX  his  solitary  animal,  the  gen 
eral  mounted,  and,  bareback,  dashed  up  the  levee  with  an 
alacrity  which  must  have  astonished  even  the  quadruped  itself 
by  its  expedited  powers  of  locomotion.  As  he  passed,  the  sailors 
coming  out  of  their  ironclads  cheered  lustily.  His  own  men, 
imitating  this  example  of  dash  and  daring  of  their  general,  swept 
across  the  cotton  field  in  full  view  of  the  beleaguered  flotilla 
and  in  the  face  and  flank  of  a  rattling  fire.  The  admiral  was 
on  deck,  sheltered  by  a  shield  made  of  a  section  of  a  smoke 
stack.  In  SHERMAX'S  words,  "I  doubt  if  he  ever  was  more 
glad  to  meet  a  friend  than  he  was  to  see  me." 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  221 

Having  almost  reached  its  destination,  the  fleet  encountered 
a  body  of  sharpshooters  sheltered  by  the  dense  forest  on  the 
banks.  Under  such  conditions  it  was  impossible  to  handle  the 
cumbersome  boats  in  the  narrow  channel. 

The  opposing  force  thus  suddenly  developed  had  teen  hurried 
by  forced  marches  from  Haynes  Bluff  up  the  Sunflower  to  the 
Rolling  Fork  in  anticipation  of  this  movement.  Under  cover  of 
this  force  obstructions  were  thrown  in  the  channel  to  prevent 
advance.  At  the  moment  of  SHERMAN'S  timely  appearance  400 
of  the  enemy  with  axes  were  passing  below  the  flotilla,  intend 
ing  in  the  same  manner  to  hew  trees  and  cut  off  its  retreat. 
This  was  the  force  which  had  l>een  struck  and  hurled  back. 

The  movement  showed  the  vigilance  and  determination  of  the 
defenders  of  Vicksburg.  When  the  general  arrived  the  only 
recourse  of  the  admiral  was  ' '  to  get  his  boats  out  of  the  scrape. ' ' 
Had  not  SHKRMAX  at  that  moment  relieved  him,  it  was  his 
purpose  to  blow  them  up  and  escape  with  his  men  through 
the  swamps.  The  flotilla  now  withdrew  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Vazoo  and  the  troops  to  their  camp  at  Youngs  Point,  reaching 
there  on  the  27th. 

The  disappointment  of  Grant  was  great,  but  not  more  so  than 
of  SHERMAN,  who  had  done  all  that  human  endurance  could 
plan  and  pursue.  Grant  regarded  the  attempt  in  the  same 
light. 

This  was  but  one  of  repeated  efforts  to  secure  a  footing  from 
which  to  operate  against  Vicksburg  from  above. 

OPERATIONS    BELOW    VICKSBURG. 

In  the  beginning  of  April  SHERMAN'S  corps  was  enlarged 
to  three  divisions — Steel's,  Blair's,  and  Tuttle's.  By  this  time 
in  the  contest  of  muscle  versus  the  Father  of  Waters  it  was 
decided  that  human  ingenuity,  skill,  and  toil  could  not  divert 


222  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

the  mad  waters  from  the  channel  of  their  own  choosing  nor  get 
access  to  the  east  bank  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg  by  an)*  of  the 
passes. 

The  headquarters  of  Grant  were  at  Millikens  Bend  and  his 
army  strung  from  SHERMAN'S  position  opposite  Vicksburg  to 
McPherson's  camp,  at  Lake  Providence — 60  miles. 

In  their  repeated  conferences  SHERMAN  always  favored  the 
inland  movement  of  the  earl}'  winter,  the  weight  of  which  his 
chief  always  conceded,  but  did  not  feel  safe  in  readopting — 

for  reasons  other  than  military  [being  unwilling]  to  take  any  course  which 
would  look  like  a  step  backward,  [Grant]  then  concluded  on  the  river 
movement  below  Vicksburg,  as  it  would  appear  like  connecting  with  Gen 
eral  Banks,  who  at  the  same  time  was  besieging  Port  Hudson  from  the 
direction  of  New  Orleans. 

NIPS    A    CONSPIRACY. 

On  the  first  days  of  April  at  general  headquarters  a  powerful 
intrigue  against  General  Grant,  in  which  newspaper  clamor, 
politics,  and  hue  and  cry  generally  were  important  factors,  was 
under  discussion.  SHERMAN  promptly  declared  his  adherence 
to  his  chief,  as  did  practically  all  the  officers  of  his  army. 

A  week  later  SHERMAN,  from  his  camp  near  Vicksburg, 
addressed  a  communication  to  Adjutant-General  Rawlins  sug 
gesting  to  General  Grant  to  call  upon  his  corps  commanders  for 
their  opinions.  He  pointed  to  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  now 
far  in  advance  of  any  of  the  grand  armies  of  the  United  States. 

In  his  usual  terse  and  comprehensive  style  he  gave  his 
"opinions"  as  an  example  to  others.  He  proposed  to  estab 
lish  a  force  at  Little  Rock,  Ark. ;  to  fortify  Yazoo  Pass,  Cold- 
water,  and  Tallahatchie;  to  open  the  road  back  to  Memphis, 
Tenn. ;  to  secure  Grenada,  Miss. ;  to  patrol  the  swamp  road  to 
Helena,  Ark.,  by  cavalry;  to  make  the  line  of  the  Yalobusha 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  223 

the  base  of  operations  to  points  where  the  railroads  crossed  the 
Big  Black,  one  above  Canton  and  the  other  below;  the  fall  of 
Yickshiirg  being  the  inevitable  result. 

As  a  cooperating  force  10,000  men,  and  l>oats  to  float  and 
transport  them  to  any  point  desired,  was  to  IK:  maintained  in 
their  vicinity,  always  near  enough  at  hand  to  act  with  the 
army  when  known  to  be  near  Yicksburg,  Haynes  Bluff,  or 
Ya/.oo  City. 

With  the  same  clearness  he  demonstrated  the  facilities 
afforded  by  certain  water  routes  to  supply  the  army  operating 
against  Jackson  or  the  Big  Black  bridge,  both  vulnerable.  He 
regarded  the  occupation  of  northern  Mississippi  as  imperative 
in  order  to  prevent  planters,  under  protection  of  the  enemy, 
from  making  crops.  To  these  "opinions"  he  added  that  he 
' '  did  not  wish  an  answer. "  "  Whatever  plan  of  action  he 
[Grant]  may  adopt  will  receive  from  me  the  same  zealous 
cooperation  and  energetic  support  as  though  conceived  by 
myself." 

This  letter  was  construed  by  some  as  a  "protest,"  which, 
however,  SHERMAN  emphatically  denied,  observing,  "We  never 
had  a  council  of  war  at  any  time  during  the  Yicksbtirg  cam 
paign."  We  "often  met  casually,  regardless  of  rank,  and  gos 
siped  of  things  in  general,  as  officers  do  and  should." 

As  SHERMAN  said,  "the  letter  speaks  for  itself,"  and  simply 
showed  his  "opinions  at  that  stage  of  the  game."  It  "was 
meant  to  induce  General  Grant  to  call  upon  General  McCler- 
nand  for  a  similar  expression  of  opinion." 

It  is  not  known  that  anything  further  came  of  SHERMAN'S 
well-meant  stroke  of  finesse.  He  said  later  that  Grant  told 
him  after  the  war — 

if  we  had  possessed  in  December,  1862,  the  experience  of  marching  and 
maintaining  an  army  without  any  regular  base,  he  would  have  gone  on 


224  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

from  Oxford  as  he  at  first  contemplated,  and  would  not  have  turned  back 
on  account  of  the  destruction  of  his  depot  at  Holly  Springs.  • 

SHERMAN  always  disclaimed  any  disposition  at  any  time  to 
criticise  the  strategy  of  his  chief,  but  did  think — 

that  he  lost  an  opportunity,  as  he  might  have  captured  Vicksburg  from 
Oxford  in  January,  as  was  done  from  Bruinsburg  in  July. 

On  April  20  SHERMAN  received  orders  to  bring  up  the  rear 
of  a  general  movement  to  the  south  of  Yicksburg.  A  few 
nights  before  7  ironclads,  led  by  Admiral  Porter  in  person,  3 
transports,  and  10  barges  ran  the  batteries.  SHERMAN, 
anticipating  a  scene — 

had  4  yawl  boats  hauled  across  the  swamp  to  the  reach  of  the  river  below 
the  city,  manned  by  soldiers,  ready  to  pick  up  any  of  the  disabled  wrecks 
floating  by. 

From  his  own  yawl  SHERMAN,  in  the  thickest,  mentions  the 
scene  as — 

truly  sublime.  The  batteries  belched  forth  a  constant  flash  of  light  and 
iron.  The  burning  houses  on  shore  brought  the  entire  fleet  out  in  weird 
relief,  affording  an  excellent  target  for  the  guns  on  shore. 

As  the  Admiral,  on  his  flag  boat,  the  Ben  ton,  passed,  SHER 
MAN  boarded,  exchanged  a  few  words,  and  pulled  back  to  the 
bank. 

The  running  of  the  batteries  for  supply  transportation  was 
now  the  thing.  A  few  more  successful  attempts  gave  suffi 
cient  boats  and  stores  below  to  cross  and  proceed  as  soon  as 
Grant  was  ready  to  give  the  command  "Advance!"  On  May  i 
SHERMAN  found  the  roads  clear  of  troops.  At  the  head  of  his 
corps,  he  brought  up  the  rear  of  the  army  at  Youngs  Point, 
prepared  to  take  the  lead  in  the  operations  which  eventuated 
in  the  fall  of  the  stronghold  of  the  lower  Mississippi. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  225 

SHERMAN    MAKKS    A    FEINT,   GRANT    A    MOVE. 

While  awaiting  the  opportunity  of  a  clear  road  to  close  up 
the  column  of  movement  to  the  south  of  Yicksburg,  SHERMAN 
received  a  communication  from  Grant  informing  him  of  his 
intention  to  cross  to  the  east  side  of  the  Mississippi  and  attack 
Grand  Gulf  about  the  end  of  April,  and  thought  that  he  "  could 
put  in  time  usefully  by  making  a  '  feint '  on  Haynes  Bluff,  but 
did  not  like  to  order  it,  because  it  might  be  reported  at  the 
North  that  he  had  again  been  repulsed,  etc. ' '  SHERMAN  replied 
that  he  "would  undertake  the  'feint'  regardless  of  public 
clamor  at  a  distance."  He  made  the  "feint"  with  but  ten 
small  regiments  of  the  Fifteenth,  with  brilliant  success  and 
results,  affecting  favorably  the  entire  general  plan  of  oper 
ations. 

It  was  afterwards  learned  Pemberton  in  Yicksburg,  hearing 
of  the  movement  through  spies,  detached  a  large  part  of  his 
strength  intended  to  oppose  the  landing  of  Grant  at  Grand  Gulf 
and  Port  Gibson,  and  by  a  forced  march  of  60  miles  transferred 
it  to  meet  the  operations  mentioned.  As  a  result  Grant  found 
but  a  minor  force  antagonizing  his  crossing  at  Bruinsburg  and 
afterwards  at  Port  Gibson  and  Grand  Gulf. 

THE    CAMPAIGN    IN    THE    REAR    OF    YICKSBURG. 
[MAY-JI  LY,  1868.] 

The  waters  had  now  so  far  receded  that  the  canals  were 
useless  and  the  roads  fair.  SHERMAN  joined  the  main  army 
at  Hard  Times  May  6,  crossed  to  the  Yicksburg  side  of  the 
Mississippi,  and  moved  forward  to  Hankinsons  Ferry,  18  miles, 
the  next  day.  The  battle  of  Port  Gibson,  the  first  of  the  pro 
gressive  series  up  to  the  defenses  uf  the  city,  was  fought  on 
the  nth. 


226  Sherman:  A  Memorial  SketcJi, 

At  Auburn  the  Fifteenth  overtook  Grant  in  person,  who 
accompanied  the  corps  to  Jackson,  reaching  there  on  the  i4th. 
McPherson,  having  fought  the  battle  of  Raymond,  formed  a 
junction  at  that  point,  where  SHERMAN  had  engaged  the  enemy 
just  outside  the  town,  capturing  three  full  batteries  of  artillery, 
a  number  of  prisoners,  and  hurling  the  opposing  force  north 
on  the  Clinton  road. 

Grant,  having  obtained  important  information  through  in 
tercepted  dispatches,  quietly  informed  SHERMAN  "he  would 
have  to  be  smart"  in  order  to  thwart  the  proposed  junction 
of  Pemberton's  forces  from  Vicksburg  and  Johnston's  from  the 
interior.  McPherson  was  hastened  back  on  the  morning  of 
the  1 5th  to  join  the  rest  of  the  army.  SHERMAN,  after  de 
stroying  the  railroad,  arsenal,  foundry,  factories,  and  other 
establishments  which  might  be  used  for  hostile  purposes,  was 
to  follow. 

The  next  day,  regarding  a  battle  imminent,  he  received 
orders  to  push  to  the  support  of  the  main  column  what  troops 
he  could  spare,  and  to  finish  and  hasten  up  with  the  rest. 

The  celebrated  battle  and  victory  of  Champion  Hills  on  the 
same  day,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Grant,  in  which 
a  division  of  SHERMAN'S  corps  participated,  was  the  result. 

The  enemy  fleeing  in  great  disorder  toward  the  city,  SHER 
MAN  with  his  entire  force  came  up  at  the  Big  Black  bridge. 
The  river  was  "swimming  deep,"  and  a  body  of  the  enemy 
intrenched  on  the  other  side.  On  all  fours  he  reached  the  river 
brink,  and  from  behind  a  corncrib  had  a  deliberate  view  of  the 
works  across  the  stream.  Ordering  forward  a  section  of  a  bat 
tery  by  hand  from  behind  his  improvised  shelter,  a  few  well- 
directed  shells  speedily  brought  the  entire  body  of  defenders 
down  to  the  bank.  A  rubber  boat  belonging  to  his  train 
ferried  them  over  prisoners  in  his  hands. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  227 

A  pontoon  bridge  having  been  thrown  across  the  river,  during 
the  night  the  entire  army  passed  over  by  the  light  of  enormous 
fires  of  pitch  pine.  Grant  and  SHERMAN,  seated  on  a  log, 
watched  the  movement,  which  SHERMAN  described  as  a  "weird 
scene  of  war. 

The  next  day,  at  10  a.  in.,  the  head  of  his  column  occupied  a 
position  which  gave  him  control  of  the  peninsula  between  the 
Ya/oo  and  Big  Black.  The  day  following  a  detachment  of  his 
cavalry  made  a  dash  at  Haynes  Bluff,  "scooping"  all  the  ene 
my's  guns,  a  magazine  full  of  ammunition,  and  a  hospital  full 
of  sick  and  wounded. 

Thus  was  fully  triumphant  the  several  hard  knocks  he  had 
experience  in  aiming  at  the  possession,  in  the  primary  move 
ments,  of  this  very  ground.  Renewing  his  march  by  General 
Grant's  personal  order,  SHERMAN  advanced  by  the  "grave 
yard"  road,  which  entered  the  city  near  a  cemetery.  At  the 
same  time,  the  rest  of  the  army  not  being  up,  he  took,  with  part 
of  his  force,  the  Jackson  road,  on  the  heels  of  the  enemy's  skir 
mishers,  making  their  best  efforts  to  get  within  their  parapets 
ahead  of  what  was  for  a  while  a  neck-and-neck  sprint  for 
possession. 

ATTEMPTS    TO   STORM    THE    CITY    UNSUCCESSFUL. 

As  he  approached  SHERMAN  deployed  forward,  but  the 
works  were  found  almost  impregnable  by  nature,  well  advan 
taged  by  art,  and  determinedly  garrisoned  by  man.  Instead  of 
further  demonstration,  without  orders  he  sagaciously  worked 
his  way  to  the  right,  down  the  ridge  to  Haynes  Bluff,  in  order 
to  connect  with  the  fleet  in  the  Mississippi,  which  proved  a 
master  stroke  of  strategic  vantage  in  the  interest  of  the  assaults 
and  long  seige  which  followed. 

When  the  entire  army  was    planted  upon   its  beleaguering 


228  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

lines,  SHERMAN  occupied  the  right  of  investment,  McPherson 
the  center,  and  McClernand  the  left,  which  covered  about 
three-fourths  of  the  hinterland  front  of  the  fortifications. 

On  the  natural  supposition  of  the  terror  and  demoralization 
of  the  enemy  within  the  circumvallations,  a  general  assault 
was  essayed  almost  immediately,  in  which  SHERMAN'S  men 
reached  the  top  of  the  parapet,  but  could  not  cross.  He  held 
his  ground,  however,  up  to  the  ditch.  Under  cover  of  the 
night  he  withdrew  sufficiently  to  counter  trench  within  50 
yards  of  the  enemy. 

The  attempt  was  renewed  two  days  later  (2oth).  SHERMAN 
in  person  reconnoitered  his  front  and  determined  the  form  of 
attack.  From  his  point  of  observation,  200  yards  from  the 
enemy's  works,  he  could  witness  and  control  the  storming  lines 
of  his  heroes.  The  assault,  lasting  two  hours,  was  "fierce  and 
bloody,"  but  the  defenders,  covered  by  their  parapets  which 
had  the  advantage  of  overlooking  elevation,  held  their  position. 

At  this  point  the  wounded  drummer  boy,  Orion  P.  Howe, 
in  the  height  of  battle,  handed  SHERMAN  a  slip  of  paper  from 
one  of  his  officers  asking  a  hurried  supply  of  cartridges, 
"caliber  54."  This  incident  was  the  subject  of  official  report 
and  of  ' '  song  and  story. ' ' 

During  the  thickest  of  the  assault,  having  left  his  horse  in  a 
ravine,  General  Grant  came  up  on  foot.  SHERMAN  pointed 
out  the  strength  of  the  works.  The  assault  had  been  repulsed 
along  the  line  of  the  entire  army. 

While  conversing,  an  orderly  handed  Grant  a  message. 
Having  read  it  he  passed  it  to  SHERMAN.  It  was  from  General 
McClernand,  that  ' '  his  troops  had  captured  the  rebel  parapet 
on  his  front,"  that  "the  flag  of  the  Union  waived  over  the 
stronghold  of  Vicksburg, ' '  and  urged  ' '  orders  to  SHERMAX 
and  McPherson  to  press  their  attacks  else  the  enemy  should 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  229 

concentrate  on  him."  Grant  in  his  imperturbable  way  quietly 
retorted,  "  I  don't  believe  a  word  of  it." 

Whereupon  SHERMAN  reasoned  that  the  message  was  official 
and  could  not  be  ignored,  at  the  same  time  offering  "to  renew 
the  assault  at  once  with  new  men." 

Grant  instantly  started  for  McClernand's  front  with  the 
parting  instruction,  "If  you  do  not  receive  orders  to  the 
contrary  by  3  p.  in.  try  it  again." 

SHERMAN,  having  promptly  advanced  new  troops,  at  the 
limit  hour  hearing  heavy  firing  on  his  left  and  "no  orders 
to  the  contrary,"  repeated  the  attempt,  which  was  "equally 
unsuccessful  and  bloody."  The  result  to  McPherson  was 
similarly  unfortunate  in  the  loss  of  most  valuable  officers  and 
men. 

In  SHERMAN'S  words: 

General  McClernand,  instead  of  taking  any  single  point  of  the  rebel  main 
parapet,  had  only  taken  one  or  two  small  outlying  lunettes  open  at  the  rear 
where  his  men  were  at  the  mercy  of  the  rebels  behind  their  main  parapet, 
and  most  of  them  were  actually  captured. 

This  affair,  and  a  published  congratulatory  order  to  his  troops, 
claiming  they  had  made  a  lodgment  in  Vicksburg  but  lost  it, 
owing  to  SHERMAN  and  McPherson  not  performing  their  parts 
in  the  general  plan  of  attack,  all  of  which  SHERMAN  declared 
"simply  untrue,"  led  to  General  McClernand's  removal  from 
his  command  of  the  Thirteenth  Corps. 

THE    CITY    BESIEGED. 

The  natural  strength  of  the  position  and  determination  of  the 
garrison  of  upward  of  30,000  trained  men  made  it  evident  that 
Yicksburg  was  not  to  be  taken  by  assault.  It  might  be  said 
here  that  SHERMAN,  after  visiting  Stebastopol  the  celebrated 
Russian  stronghold  in  the  Crimea,  pronounced  "Yicksburg  the 
more  difficult  of  the  two." 


230  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

The  siege  now  began.  The  city  was  completely  invested. 
SHERMAN'S  corps  lay  on  the  right,  with  one  of  his  divisions  on 
the  west  bank  of  the  river  opposite  the  city,  to  prevent  escape 
in  that  direction.  The  Yazoo  River,  which  SHERMAN  had  fought 
over  so  hard,  was,  as  originally  contemplated,  the  base  of  sup 
plies.  His  headquarters  were  on  his  center,  close  up  to  the 
works,  and  those  of  Grant  very  near  by. 

During  these  events  the  enemy,  having  recovered  from  his 
haste  in  getting  out  of  the  way  of  SHERMAN  at  Jackson,  was 
organizing  a  force  on  the  Big  Black,  which  had  to  be  watched, 
its  purpose  being  well  understood  as  a  demonstration  in  the 
rear  in  hope  of  enabling  the  garrison  of  Vicksburg  to  extricate 
itself  from  the  clutches  of  Grant. 

SHERMAN    DEFENDS    THE    BESIEGING    ARMY    FROM    THE    REAR. 

[JINK-Jl  LY,  1863.] 

To  meet  this  menace  an  improvised  army  of  observation  com 
posed  of  one  division  detailed  from  each  corps  in  the  trenches, 
making  a  force  of  30,000  to  40,000  men,  was  assigned  to  SHER 
MAN,  who  took  an  intrenched  position  on  the  west  bank  of  the 
Big  Black,  while  the  enemy  in  plain  view  occupied  works  on 
the  east.  The  enemy  showing  no  disposition  to  cross,  and 
SHERMAN  having  no  orders  to  attack,  these  two  forces  remained 
in  the  same  relative  position  from  June  20  to  July  4. 

On  July  3  Grant  wired  SHERMAN  that  negotiations  for 
surrender  were  in  progress.  Therefore  to  be  prepared  ' '  at 
a  moment's  notice  to  cross  the  Big  Black"  and  "go  for  Joe 
Johnston." 

The  General  had  high  regard  for  the  military  genius  of  his 
antagonist,  which  was  shared  by  Grant,  who  said  "Johnston 
was  about  the  only  general  on  that  side  whom  he  feared." 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  231 

On  the  4th,  the  birthday  of  the  Republic,  Yicksburg  sur 
rendered.  The  event  was  celebrated  by  SHERMAN  at  once 
"  going  for  Joe  Johnston." 

COMMANDS    AN    EXPEDITION    AGAINST    JACKSON. 
ii  M.   1868.] 

For  this  purpose  on  July  6  he  was  placed  in  command  of  an 
expeditionary  army  composed  of  the  Ninth,  Thirteenth,  and 
Fifteenth  Corps.  During  the  next  two  days  he  pressed  the 
enemy  out  of  his  defenses  on  the  river  and  concentrated  at  Bol- 
ton.  The  news  of  the  surrender,  however,  had  preceded  him, 
for  which  reason,  without  even  a  parting  argument  of  shot  and 
steel,  the  enemy  beat  a  hurried  retreat  to  Jackson,  where  he 
turned  from  behind  strong  intrenchments.  SHERMAN  closed 
with  him  on  July  1 1.  After  a  siege  of  six  days  Johnston  again 
"pulled  out,"  pursued  for  11  miles. 

Owing  to  the  intense  heat  of  a  Mississippi  midsummer  sun 
and  fearing  fatalities  to  his  command,  which  he  reported,  Grant 
ordered  his  return  to  his  old  camp  on  the  Big  Black.  On  July 
22  he  resumed  command  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps. 

Port  Hudson  surrendered  four  days  after  Yicksburg,  as  a 
natural  result  of  that  triumph. 

THE    MISSISSIPPI    CONTROLLED    "  UNVEXED    TO    THE    SEA." 

Thus  ended  in  complete  success  the  most  important  strategic 
feature  of  the  civil  war,  the  control  of  the  Mississippi  River,  as 
President  Lincoln  declared,  "un vexed  to  the  sea." 

The  losses  of  SHERMAN'S  corps  all  told  during  the  immediate 
operations  around  the  city  were,  May  19,  about  200;  22d,  600; 
and  after,  between  July  11-16,  less  than  1,000. 


232  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

In  commenting  upon  this  remarkable  campaign  General  SHER 
MAN  in  his  Memoirs  records — 

The  campaign  of  Vicksburg  in  conception  and  execution  belongs  exclu 
sively  to  General  Grant,  not  only  in  the  great  whole,  but  in  the  one  thou 
sand  details.  No  commanding  general  in  any  army  ever  gave 
more  of  his  personal  attention  to  details  or  wrote  so  many  of  his  own 
orders,  reports,  and  letters  as  General  Grant. 

In  reward  for  these  achievements  Grant  was  promoted  to 
major-general  and  SHERMAN  and  McPherson  to  brigadier-gen 
eral  in  the  Regular  Army. 

SHERMAN'S  VIEWS  SOUGHT  ON  RECONSTRUCTION. 

A  transformation  had  taken  place  not  in  the  marches 'and 
sieges  of  war.  While  in  his  camp  on  Big  Black  about  the 
last  of  August  SHERMAN  received  an  unofficial  letter  from 
General  Halleck  suggesting  that  the  ' '  question  of  recon 
struction  in  Louisiana,  Mississippi,  and  Arkansas  will  soon 
come  up  for  decision  of  the  Government,"  and  requested 
him  to  "consult  with  Grant,  McPherson,  and  others  of  cool, 
good  judgment,  and  write  fully  your  views,  as  I  may  wish 
to  use  them  with  the  President,"  but  "not  officially."  From 
camp  on  September  17  he  replied,  in  a  letter  bristling  with 
foresight,  philosophy,  politics,  judgment,  and  clothed  in  his 
most  incisive  style.  The  letter  answers  no  purpose  forty 
years  after.  When  written  if  carried  into  effect  as  events 
progressed  many  complications  and  anomalous  conditions 
might  have  been  avoided.  This  letter,  indicative  of  the 
greatness  of  a  master  mind,  which  is  given  in  the  General's 
Memoirs  for  the  first  time,  makes  instructive  reading  for 
the  students  of  that  era  and  phase  of  United  States  history. 
President  Lincoln  was  so  taken  with  it  that  he  instructed 
General  Halleck  to  secure  its  author's  consent  for  publica 
tion,  which,  however,  was  declined,  "not  wishing  to  be 


Sherman:  .  1  Memorial  Sketch.  233 

drawn  into  a  newspaper  controversy."     The  President,   how 
ever,  often  recalled  it  approvingly. 

In  another  letter,  written  on  the  same  day,  to  General 
Rawlins,  on  the  staff  of  General  Grant,  also  inclosing  the 
above  for  perusal  by  General  Grant  and  to  be  forwarded  to 
General  Halleck,  SHERMAN  adverted  to  a  point  or  two  per 
sonal  to  himself  which  are  worth  repeating.  After  calling 
attention  to  Professor  Mahon's  letter,  inclosed,  passing  "a 
very  marked  encomium  upon  the  campaign  of  Yicksburg," 
which  "the  General  (Grant)  might  keep  if  he  values  such 
a  testimonial,"  and  disclaiming  writing  to  General  Halleck 
since  the  Chickasaw  affair,  except  to  thank  him  for  the  kind 
manner  of  transmitting  his  appointment  of  brigadier-general, 
he  continues: 

I  know  that  in  Washington  I  am  incomprehensible,  because  at  the  out 
set  I  would  not  go  it  blind  and  rush  headlong  into  a  war  unprepared  and 
with  an  utter  ignorance  of  its  extent  and  purpose.  I  was  then  construed 
unsound,  and  now  that  I  insist  on  war  pure  and  simple,  with  no  admixture 
of  civil  compromises,  I  am  supposed  to  be  vindictive.  You  remember 
what  Polonius  said  to  his  son,  Laertes:  "Beware  of  entrance  toa  quarrel; 
but,  being  in,  bear  it  that  the  opposed  may  beware  of  thee."  What  is 
true  of  a  single  man  is  equally  true  of  a  nation. 

The  Army  of  the  Tennessee  had  done  its  full  share  of  war 
up  to  date  and  was  resting  on  its  honors  in  and  about  Yicks 
burg.  The  defensive  battle  of  Gettysburg  had  hurled  back 
the  tide  of  invasion.  But  troubles  thickened  as  the  autumn 
months  rolled  up  in  the  central  zone  of  the  thousand  miles 
of  front  between  the  Mississippi  and  the  Potomac.  General 
Grant  was  on  a  visit  of  conference  with  Banks  at  New  Or 
leans.  SHERMAN  was  making  himself  and  his  corps  of  four 
divisions  (Osterhaus,  M.  L.  Smith,  Tuttle,  and  Kwing)  com 
fortable  along  the  west  bank  of  the  Big  Black,  about  20 
miles  east  of  Yicksburg,  with  his  eye  on  four  brigades  of 
rebel  cavalry,  which  in  turn  were  eying  him. 


234  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

A    HURRY    ORDER. 

This  sylvan  scene  of  a  sudden  was  disturbed  by  the  startling 
intelligence  that  Bragg,  reenforced  from  Virginia,  had  fallen  on 
Rosecrans  at  Chickamauga,  had  defeated  and  run  him  into 
Chattanooga,  where  he  was  in  danger  of  finding  himself  short  of 
rations.  Coming  so  soon  after  the  decisive  successes  at  Yicks- 
burg  and  Gettysburg,  in  the  language  of  SHERMAN,  "the 
whole  country  seemed  paralyzed  and  the  authorities  at  Wash 
ington  were  thoroughly  stampeded."  Troops  were  hurried 
from  all  directions  to  Rosecrans' s  relief.  SHERMAN  received 
orders  (September  22)  from  Grant,  at  Yicksburg,  to  send  one 
of  his  divisions  into  the  city,  which  he  did  the  same  day. 
On  the  following  day  SHERMAN  himself  was  summoned. 
Grant,  showing  the  dispatches  he  had  received  from  Halleck, 
gave  him  orders  to  leave  one  of  his  divisions  on  the  Big  Black, 
and  writh  the  rest  of  his  corps  prepare  to  follow  at  once.  On 
the  28th  two  divisions  of  the  corps,  with  SHERMAN  in  the  lead, 
were  embarked  and  reached  Memphis  October  12.  At  that 
point  the  overtaxed  lines  of  Rosecrans's  supply  necessitated  a 
movement  by  SHERMAN  (who  had  received  special  orders  to 
that  effect),  who  marched  east  from  Memphis,  repairing  the 
railroad  from  Corinth  as  far  as  Decatur,  Ala.,  from  which 
point  he  was  to  report  to  Rosecrans  by  letter.  To  SHERMAN,  at 
Corinth,  on  the  i6th,  Grant  announced  his  arrival  at  Memphis 
(October  14),  with  orders  to  proceed  to  Cairo  and  report  by 
telegraph. 

The  same  day  he  received  a  dispatch  from  Halleck,  at  Wash 
ington,  relating  to  supplies  for  Rosecrans,  and  if  not  in  strength 
sufficient  to  reach  Athens  he  will  at  all  events  ' '  have  assisted 
greatly  by  drawing  away  any  part  of  the  enemy's  forces," 
leaving  all  matters  "to  his  judgment  as  circumstances  may 
arise." 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  235 

At  luka  SHERMAN  received  orders  by  special  messenger  from 
Grant  to  drop  all  repairs  of  railroads  and  proceed  as  rapidly  as 
possible  to  Chattanooga. 

At  Kastport,  while  crossing  the  Tennessee  and  pressing 
toward  Florence,  SHKKMAN  was  apprised  of  the  assignment 
of  General  Grant  "to  the  command  of  the  Military  Division  of 
the  Mississippi,  comprising  the  Departments  of  the  Ohio,  Cniu- 
l>erland,  and  Tennessee,  with  authority  to  change  them  as  he 
deemed  most  practicable;"  "any  changes  to  be  made  on  his 
request  by  telegram." 

COMMANDS  THK    DEPARTMENT  AND    ARMY   OF  THE  TENNESSEE. 
ui   i, .KM;   lit.  ISK.-t-MAKCI!   12,  1H64.] 

Under  General  Orders,  No.  2,  Military  Division  of  the  Mis 
sissippi,  Louisville,  Ky.,  October  19,  1863,  SHERMAN  was 
assigned  to  command  of  the  Department  and  Army  of  the  Ten 
nessee,  which  he  assumed  on  October  19.  The  army  of  that 
name  now  comprised  the  Fifteenth  Corps  (Blair),  moving 
toward  Chattanooga;  Sixtee'nth  (Hurlbut),  at  Memphis,  and 
Seventeenth  (McPherson),  at  Yicksburg.  About  the  middle  of 
October,  near  Tuscumbia,  he  received  a  message  from  Grant 
"to  drop  all  work  on  the  railroad,  cross  the  Tennessee,  and 
hurry  eastward  with  all  possible  dispatch  towards  Kridgejx)rt 
until  he  met  further  orders." 

At  luka,  having  issued  all  orders  necessary  for  his  Depart 
ment,  including  giving  McPherson  full  power  in  Mississippi  and 
Hurlbut  in  west  Tennessee  during  his  absence,  and  having 
ordered  the  assembling  of  a  force  of  about  8,000  men  out  of  the 
Sixteenth  Corps,  to  be  commanded  by  Gen.  G.  M.  Dodge,  with 
orders  to  follow  as  far  as  Athens  for  further  instructions,  he 
continued  to  Florence,  arriving  Xovemlxjr  i,  and  twelve  days 
later  arrived  at  Bridgeport  in  advance  of  his  column,  which  was, 
however,  near  by,  approaching  by  several  roads. 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 1 6 


236  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

As  an  illustration  of  his  methods  and  his  appreciation  of  the 
services  of  his  officers  it  may  be  mentioned,  during  his  forced 
march  with  his  corps  (fifteenth)  from  Memphis  to  Decatur,  at 
Corinth,  SHERMAN  found  General  Dodge  in  command,  to  whom 
he  had  an  open  letter  from  General  Grant.  General  Dodge 
being  ill  he  sat  by  his  bedside  and  read  the  letter,  which  directed 
him  to  take  two  divisions  from  his  command  and  accompany 
SHERMAN. 

"  Now,  are  you  well  enough  to  do  what  General  Grant 
suggests?" 

' '  Yes. ' ' 

' '  All  right  ;  I  will  give  you  plenty  of  time.  You  can  bring 
up  the  rear.  I  will  issue  the  orders. ' ' 

This  was  their  first  meeting.  The  two  divisions  were  organ 
ized  into  a  corps.  The  services  rendered  by  this  officer  form  a 
conspicuous  feature  in  the  movements  which  led  up  to  the  vic 
tory  of  Chattanooga  and  the  success  of  the  campaigns  against 
Atlanta. 

AT    CHATTANOOGA. 
[1803-G4.] 

At  Chattanooga  SHERMAN  received  word  from  Grant  to 
"come  to  Chattanooga  at  once  in  person,"  leaving  his  troops 
to  follow  as  rapidly  as  possible. 

As  he  left  the  boat  the  General  found  one  of  Grant's  private 
horses  to  carry  him  to  Chattanooga,  where  he  arrived  Novem 
ber  15.  He  was  most  cordially  welcomed  by  Grant,  Thomas, 
and  others,  each  of  whom  fully  appreciated  his  herculean 
efforts  to  bring  them  succor. 

After  surveying  the  scene  the  next  morning  from  the  parapet 
of  one  of  the  defenses,  with  Lookout  Mountain  and  Missionary 
Ridge  held  by  the  enemy's  batteries  and  a  line  of  sentinels  not 
i, coo  yards  distant  in  full  sight, 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  237 

"  Why,"  said  SHERMAN,  addressing  Grant,  who  accompanied 
him,  "you  are  besieged." 

"Yes,"  he  responded,  quite  undisturbed;  "it  is  too  true;" 
then  explaining  the  situation,  which  was  far  worse  than 
SHERMAN  had  expected. 

The  only  recourse  to  instill  new  fire,  in  Grant's  opinion,  was 
for  SHERMAN  to  take  the  initiative  in  an  attack  at  the  earliest 
moment  on  the  enemy's  position. 

In  his  personal  inspection  Grant  had  discovered  that  the 
opposing  lines  from  Lookout  Mountain  to  Chattanooga  were 
not  fortified  on  the  northern  acclivity  of  Missionary  Ridge. 
He  therefore  directed  SHERMAN  to  lay  a  ne\v  pontoon  bridge 
over  the  river  by  night,  cross,  and  attack  on  the  right  flank  on 
that  part  of  the  ridge  abutting  on  Chattanooga  Creek  near  the 
tunnel.  To  better  understand  the  work  ahead,  he  proposed  an 
examination  of  the  ground.  At  a  distance  of  4  miles  from  a 
hill  Grant  and  SHERMAN,  accompanied  by  Thomas  and  several 
other  officers,  could  take  in  the  prospect  they  sought.  SHER 
MAN,  to  be  better  satisfied,  leaving  the  party,  attended  by  an 
officer,  crept  to  the  fringe  of  timber  on  the  river  bank  at  the 
point  for  the  new  bridge.  Here  he  concealed  himself  for 
some  time,  having  plain  sight  of  the  enemy's  pickets,  "almost 
hearing  their  words." 

The  prospecting  party  having  returned  to  Chattanooga,  in 
in  order  to  act  promptly,  upon  which  alone  depended  success, 
SHERMAN  set  out  to  instruct  his  divisions  in  person.  Missing 
the  steamboat  he  obtained  a  rough  boat  manned  by  four  soldiers, 
in  which  he  floated  down  the  stream  by  night,  often  taking  a 
hand  himself  with  the  oars.  By  daylight  he  reached  Bridgeport, 
his  destination.  Putting  one  division  in  motion  toward  Tren 
ton,  with  the  purpose  of  making  the  enemy  think  his  objective 
was  to  turn  his  left,  the  other  three  pursued  the  main  road. 


238  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

FORTY     ROUNDS    IN    THE     CARTRIDGE     BOX     AND     TWENTY     IN 

THE    POCKET. 

It  was  during  this  march  that  the  badge  of  SHERMAN'S  Fif 
teenth  Corps  had  its  origin.  On  the  route  an  Irishman  of  the 
Fifteenth,  having  joined  a  camp  fire  of  a  party  of  the  Twelfth, 
in  the  exchange  of  words  Pat  noticed  everything  marked  with 
a  star  (the  badge  of  the  Twelfth  Corps).  Not  having  had  time 
in  the  duty  of  a  soldier  of  the  ' '  bloody  Fifteenth ' '  to  learn  of 
such  new-fangled  notions,  he  was  naturally  much  nonplussed, 
but  finally  settled  himself  in  the  opinion  that  the  Twelfth  had 
a  good  many  brigadiers. 

At  length  one  of  the  men  inquired  to  what  corps  Pat 
belonged.  He  replied  with  decided  emphasis,  "The  Fifteenth, 
to  be  sure." 

"What  is  your  badge?"  asked  the  musket  bearer  of  the 
Twelfth. 

Much  perplexed,  Pat  retorted:  "The  devil  wid  your  badge! 
Forty  rounds  in  the  cartridge  box  and  twenty  in  the  pocket, 
that's  the  badge  for  ye." 

General  Logan,  then  in  command  of  the  Fifteenth,  hearing 
of  the  incident,  adopted  Pat's  "cartridge  box"  and  legend 
"  forty  rounds"  as  the  insignia  of  the  Fifteenth. 

AGAIN   ON   THE    OFFENSIVE. 

General  SHERMAN  and  his  Corps  had  marched  about  275 
miles  from  Memphis  over  fearful  roads,  but  notwithstanding  the 
exhausted  condition  of  his  men  and  animals,  owing  to  the 
extremity  of  the  situation,  General  Grant  ordered  him  into 
action  the  next  day,  November  21,  although  but  one  division 
had  come  up.  Seeing  the  situation,  the  attack  was  postponed 
for  two  days,  by  which  time,  by  the  most  extraordinary  efforts, 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  239 

he  succeeded  in  jx>sting  three  divisions  1>ehind  the  hills  oppo 
site  the  mouth  of  Chattanooga  Creek  prepared  to  open  the 
decisive  battle  of  Chattanooga.  He  dispatched  a  brigade  under 
cover  of  the  hills  to  North  Chattanooga  Creek  to  man  the  boats 
for  the  pontoon  bridge,  and  at  midnight  dropped  to  a  point 
above  South  Chattanooga  Creek,  where  he  landed  two  regi 
ments.  This  advance  force  moved  quietly  down  the  creek, 
capturing  the  entire  enemy's  river  picket  save  one  man.  This 
im]M)rtant  advantage  gained,  he  moved  the  entire  brigade  l>elow 
the  mouth  of  the  creek,  where  he  disembarked,  his  boats  return 
ing  for  the  rest  of  the  command.  By  daylight  (24th)  he  had 
8,000  men  on  the  east  bank  of  the  river  where,  he  threw  up  rifle 
trenches  as  a  tete-de-pont.  During  the  same  day  he  placed  his 
pontoons  over  Chattanooga  Creek,  which  formed  a  connection 
with  two  regiments  left  on  the  north  side.  SHKKMAN  says  of 
this  remarkable  piece  of  work,  "I  doubt  if  the  history  of  war 
can  show  a  bridge  of  that  extent,  1,350  feet  long,  laid  so  noise 
lessly  and  well  in  so  short  a  time."  .  By  noon  pontoons  were  in 
position  and  his  entire  three  divisions,  men,  horses,  and  artil 
lery,  safely  over  without  a  blow. 

MISSIONARY    RIDGE. 

At  i  p.  m.  he  advanced  from  the  river  in  three  columns  in 
echelon,  the  column  of  direction  following  the  Chattanooga 
Creek,  the  center  in  columns  doubled  on  the  center  at  one  bri 
gade  interval  right  and  rear,  and  the  right  in  column  at  the 
same  distance  to  the  right  rear,  prepared  to  deploy  to  right  to 
face  if  need  be  an  enemy  in  that  direction.  A  line  of  skirmish 
ers  with  strong  supports  was  thrown  out  along  the  front. 

A  drizzling  rain  was  falling.  The  clouds  hung  low,  com 
pletely  covering  the  movement  from  the  enemy.  He  soon 
found  himself  in  force  at  the  foothills,  his  skirmishers  creeping 


240  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

up  the  steep  acclivity.  By  3  p.  in.  he  had  gained  without 
loss  or  the  knowledge  of  the  enemy  the  point  desired. 

A  brigade  from  each  division  now  pushed  to  the  top  of  the 
hill.  Not  until  then  was  the  movement  even  suspected,  and 
then  too  late,  for  the  troops  were  in  full  possession.  The 
enemy  at  once  opened  with  artillery,  to  which  SHERMAN 
promptly  replied.  At  4  p.  m.  the  enemy  feeling  his  left  flank 
led  to  a  lively  engagement  without  effect.  The  troops  were 
now  in  position  to  make  the  main  assault  upon  the  enemy's 
position  on  Missionary  Ridge. 

At  midnight  he  received  Grant's  order  to  engage  at  the 
"dawn  of  day,"  with  assurance  that  Thomas  would  strike 
"  early  in  the  day." 

The  attack  in  the  direction  of  the  ridge  was  involved  in 
many  difficulties,  of  nature  chiefly  an  intervening  valley,  be 
yond  which,  on  the  crest  of  the  hill,  stretched  the  enemy's 
breastworks  of  logs  and  earth.  After  this  first  line  the  enemy 
in  force  held  a  higher  range  beyond  the  tunnel,  and  was  also 
massed  to  resist,  turning  the  left  flank,  thus  endangering  his 
depot  at  Chickamauga  station. 

At  sunrise  the  bugles  of  Corse's  troops  sounded  "Forward." 

This  advance  moved  with  effective  impetus,  gaining  ground. 
By  10  a.  m.  both  armies  were  engaged  in  a  furious  encounter, 
in  which  the  mettle  of  both  was  put  to  the  severest  test.  By 
3  p.  m.  SHERMAN  had  gained  every  advantage.  Below  him 
spread  the  vast  amphitheater  of  Chattanooga,  across  which  as 
far  as  the  eye  could  scan  he  watched  in  vain  for  the  attack  of 
Thomas. 

At  this  point  his  position  was  not  only  critical  but  appalling 
even  to  his  calm  ess  under  the  utmost  pressure  of  battle.  The 
enemy,  not  yet  drawn  off,  determined  by  one  desperate  effort  to 
overwhelm  him,  pushing  his  guns  and  men  forward.  From 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Skctcli.  241 

every  hill  and  spur  SHERMAN  was  now  the  target  of  a  heavy, 
concentrated  fire. 

Suddenly,  to  his  intense  relief,  at  3  p.  in.,  he  detected  the 
thin,  white  thread  of  musketry  fire  in  front  of  Orchard  Knoll, 
which  indicated  the  movement  of  Thomas  on  the  enemy's 
center. 

SHERMAN  had  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  his  own  attack 
had  concentrated  the  masses  of  the  enemy  to  his  own  flank, 
and  therefore  felt  certain  of  the  result  on  the  center.  The  fire, 
but  a  few  moments  before  focused  upon  him,  was  now  hurriedly 
turned  to  meet  the  advance  of  Thomas. 

As  night  closed  over  the  scene  SHERMAN  enjoyed  all  the 
satisfaction  of  knowing  that  the  troops  in  Chattanooga  had 
swept  across  Missionary  Ridge  and  broken  the  center. 

The  victor}-  was  complete.  The  enemy,  breaking  in  every 
direction,  had  abandoned  his  depot  and  supplies  and  everything 
else  portable,  l>eing  content  to  get  beyond  the  mesh  set  for  him 
by  Grant.  In  his  own  words,  "  It  was  a  magnificent  battle  in 
its  conception,  in  its  execution,  and  glorious  results;  nothing 
left  for  cavil  or  fault-finding." 

It  seemed  as  if  nature  were  acting  in  alliance  with  the  martial 
splendor  of  the  scene.  The  first  day  a  lowering  veil  of  mist 
obscured  the  movements  for  position  from  the  overlooking 
enemy  on  the  mountain  top.  The  second  was  resplendently 
bright,  as  SHERMAN  recalled  it:  "Many  a  time  in  the  midst  of 
its  carnage  and  noise  I  could  not  help  stopping  to  look  across 
that  vast  field  of  battle  to  admire  its  sublimity."  SHERMAN 
the  next  day,  under  orders  from  Grant,  moved  to  sever  connec 
tion  between  Bragg,  now  in  full  retreat,  and  Longstreet  at 
Knoxville. 

In  his  part  of  the  battle  at  Chattanooga  SHERMAN  lost  i  ,686 
men,  all  told,  out  of  his  corps,  including  some  very  valuable 
officers. 


242  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

At  Ringgold  General  Grant  in  person  directed  SHERMAN  to 
discontinue  his  pursuit.  That  night  they  passed  together  at 
Graysville  talking  over  the  supposed  danger  to  Burnside  130 
miles  to  the  northeast. 

RELIEF   OF    KNOXVILLE. 

The  next  few  days  moving  his  column  in  the  direction  of  the 
Hiawasse  in  search  of  forage  and  rest  for  his  troops  and  horses, 
SHERMAN  received  an  apologetic  dispatch  from  Grant,  "I  am 
inclined  to  think  I  shall  have  to  send  you  in  command  of  all  the 
forces  now  moving  up  the  Tennessee,"  to  relieve  Burnside.  "  I 
leave  this  matter  to  you,"  he  added,  "  knowing  that  you  will 
do  better  acting  upon  your  own  discretion  than  you  could 
trammeled  with  instructions." 

Accordingly  SHERMAN  organized  and  cut  loose.  On  the 
night  of  December  3,  the  limit  set  by  Burnside  of  his  ability  to 
hold  out,  the  advance  of  SHERMAN'S  cavalry  entered  the 
beleagured  town  with  the  head  of  his  infantry  but  15  miles 
distant.  L,ongstreet  on  his  approach  raised  the  siege,  retreating 
up  the  valley  toward  Virginia. 

As  SHERMAN  himself  rode  in  he  records,  "  In  a  large  pen  I 
saw  a  fine  lot  of  cattle,  which  did  not  look  like  starvation."  I 
found  Burnside  in  a  large,  fine  mansion,  very  comfortable. 

Their  conversation  turned  on  the  pursuit  of  Longstreet,  in 
which  SHERMAN  agreed  to  participate,  although  his  men  were 
utterly  worn  out  with  their  forced  march  and  suffering  from  the 
colder  temperature  of  the  mountains. 

They  sat  down  to  a  "  turkey  dinner ' '  with  all  the  equipments 
of  home  surroundings.  In  the  words  of  SHERMAN: 

I  had  seen  nothing  of  this  kind  in  my  field  experience,  and  could  not 
help  exclaiming  that  I  thought  they  were  starving.  *  *  *  Had  I 
known  of  this  I  should  not  have  hurried  my  men  so  fast,  but  until  I 
reached  Knoxville  I  thought  his  troops  actually  were  in  danger  of  starva 
tion. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  243 

Having  relieved  Burnside  of  his  supposed  embarrassment, 
SHERMAN  returned  in  a  leisurely  march  to  Chattanooga,  where 
he  arrived  about  the  middle  of  December.  There  he  received 
orders  to  take  his  corps  into  winter  quarters  in  northern 
Alabama.  He  established  himself  at  Bridgeport  and  distributed 
the  four  divisions  of  the  Fifteenth  along  the  railroad  from 
Stevenson  to  Decatur,  and  part  of  the  Sixteenth,  under  Dodge, 
along  the  railroad  from  Decatur  to  Nashville.  The  programme 
in  Grant's  thoughts  at  that  time  was  to  open  the  spring  cam 
paign  up  the  valley  of  the  Tennessee  into  Virginia,  as  he  even 
then  regarded  the  campaign  of  1864  as  the  last  and  most 
important  of  the  war. 

THE  THANKS  OK  CONGRESS. 

On  February  21,  1864,  by  public  resolution,  approved  on 
that  day,  "the  thanks  of  Congress  and  of  the  people  of  the 
United  States"  were — 

tendered  to  Maj.  Gen.  \V.  T.  SHKRMAX,  commander  of  the  Department 
and  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  and  the  officers  and  soldiers  who  served  under 
him  for  their  gallant  and  arduous  service  in  marching  to  the  relief  of  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  for  their  gallantry  and  heroism  in  the 
battle  of  Chattanooga,  which  contributed  in  a  great  degree  to  the  success 
of  our  armies  in  that  glorious  victory. 

This  resolution  was  promulgated  to  the  Army  in  general 
orders  on  the  same  day. 

THE    EXPEDITION    TO    MERIDIAN,   MISS. 
[KKBKrABY,   1M64.] 

The  Department  of  the  Tennessee,  over  which  SHERMAN 
held  command,  embraced  the  east  bank  of  the  Mississippi  from 
Natchez  to  the  Ohio  River  and  thence  up  the  Tennessee  to 
Decatur  and  Bellefont,  Ala.,  with  McPherson  (Seventeenth 
Corps)  at  Vicksburg,  Hurlbut  (Sixteenth  Corps)  at  Memphis, 
and  Dodge  (part  of  the  Sixteenth  Corps)  along  the  railroad 


244  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

toward  Chattanooga.  The  enemy,  with  a  large  body  of  cav 
alry,  ranged  at  large  in  Mississippi,  and  Johnston,  with  a  for 
midable  force  of  infantry,  occupied  his  old  territory. 

SHERMAN  felt  convinced  that  he  could  simplify  matters  by 
two  quick  movements  inland,  thus  relieving  a  strong  part  of 
his  command  for  operations  on  a  better  field.  He  placed  his 
case  before  Grant,  still  at  Nashville,  and  obtained  permission 
to  return  to  Vicksburg  and  strike  one  blow  to  the  east,  while 
Banks,  from  New  Orleans,  would  deliver  one  to  the  west. 

SHERMAN  proceeded  to  Memphis,  where  he  organized  a 
select  force  to  unite  with  another  at  Vicksburg,  in  all  20,000 
men,  for  a  sudden  movement  upon  Meridian  in  February. 

Another  force  of  7,000  cavalry  was  collected  from  the  garri 
sons  between  Columbus,  Ky.,  and  Corinth,  Miss.,  to  move 
from  Memphis  simultaneously  direct  to  Meridian  ' '  to  do  up ' ' 
the  enemy's  cavalry,  threatening  railway  communications  and 
middle  Tennessee.  Through  spies  he  obtained  all  necessary 
information  concerning  the  force  he  might  expect  to  encounter. 
Having  suffered  much  from  hasty  public  criticism,  the  General 
made  it  known  that  any  person  not  associated  with  the  Army 
found  with  the  expeditionary  column  would  be  arrested,  tried 
by  drumhead  court-martial,  and  shot.  A  correspondent  who 
had  been  with  him  on  many  occasions,  knowing  his  fixity  in 
matters  of  that  kind,  as  shown  by  an  example  on  record,  call 
ing  at  his  headquarters  at  Vicksburg  for  information,  said: 

"General,  I  hear  you  propose  to  treat  civilians  as  spies  if 
found  with  the  expedition." 

"  Quite  so,  quite  so." 

' '  Then  it  behooves  me  to  remain  in  the  rear. ' ' 

' '  What  are  you  talking  about  ?  You  are  not  one  of  those 
fellows.  You  are  a  volunteer  aid  on  McPherson's  staff." 

"Oh,  yes;   beg  pardon,"  and  rode  off. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketdi.  245 

The  writer  accordingly  was  the  only  meml>er  of  the  press 
present  on  that  inarch,  and  his  story  the  only  one  written  by 
an  eyewitness  of  its  terrible  warlike  realities. 

On  the  2d  day  of  February  the  column,  lightly  equipped, 
begar.  its  inarch,  without  deployment,  to  Meridian,  150  miles 
distant.  The  enemy's  cavalry  vanished,  and  several  attempts 
at  infantry  concentration  gave  way,  as  it  approached.  The 
enemy's  light  parties  constantly  hovered  upon  the  flanks,  in 
advance  and  rear,  but  finding  the  columns  compact  did  not 
venture  to  engage.  Showing  the  vigilance  of  the  enemy, 
near  Decatur,  owing  to  a  misunderstanding  in  the  orders  of  a 
regiment,  SHERMAN,  for  a  few  moments  left  unprotected,  was 
aroused  out  of  a  much-needed  sleep  by  shouts  and  firing. 
Gathering  his  orderlies  and  the  few  headquarters  clerks,  from 
an  improvised  defense  in  a  corn  crib  he  held  the  attacking 
party  at  bay  until  relieved  by  a  regiment  coming  up  on  the  run, 
which,  deploying  as  it  advanced,  set  the  attackers  scampering 
in  all  directions. 

Atxnit  the  middle  of  February,  arriving  at  Meridian,  the 
work  of  destruction  of  an  arsenal,  depots,  and  the  railroads  in 
all  directions  was  carried  to  an  extent  not  likely  to  cause  trouble 
for  many  months. 

After  a  delay  of  five  days  and  several Teconnoissances  and  no 
word  of  his  cavalry  cooperating  force,  the  column  tcx)k  up  its 
return  march  to  Vicksburg. 

A  story  spread  abroad  that  the  ultimate  destination  of  the 
expedition  was  Mobile  was  without  foundation,  being  simply  a 
ruse  de  guerre.  In  a  letter  l>efore  the  expedition  started  SHKK- 
MAN  informed  General  Banks  of  an  intention  to  keep  up  that 
delusion,  while  his  real  purpose  was  to  be  back  in  Yicksburg 
by  March  i  in  order  to  cooperate  with  him  in  his  attack  on 
Shreveport. 


246  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

The  object  of  his  expedition  was  accomplished,  being  able  to 
transfer  10,000  men  for  operations  in  Georgia. 

As  for  his  cavalry  from  Memphis,  they  got  off  ten  days  behind 
time,  were  headed  off,  and  "done  up"  by  an  inferior  force. 
SHERMAN'S  first  information  of  what  befell  them  greeted  him 
after  his  return. 

AT    NEW    ORLEANS. 

At  Vicksburg  he  received  letters  from  Banks  about  the  Red 
River  expedition  and  from  Grant  permitting  him  to  give  aid  for 
a  limited  time,  but  insisting  upon  his  return  in  person  to  Hunts- 
ville,  Ala.,  to  prepare  for  the  spring  campaign.  Before  doing 
so  he  visited  General  Banks  at  New  Orleans  on  the  business  in 
view.  He  found  the  military  movement  delayed  in  order  to 
assist  in  inaugurating  a  civil  governor  of  Louisiana.  In  urging 
upon  him  the  importance  of  the  civic  occasion,  SHERMAN  men 
tions,  among  the  inducements  presented  to  him,  "an  anvil  cho 
rus  by  the  united  bands  of  the  army,  the  ringing  of  church 
bells,  and  firing  of  cannon  by  electricity."  He  regarded  "all 
such  ceremonies  out  of  place  at  that  time,  when  it  seemed  that 
every  hour  and  every  minute  were  due  to  war. ' ' 

As  a  consequence,  he  had  no  time  for  the  "grand  pageant," 
but  left  to  join  Grant  at  Nashville.  The  Red  River  expedition, 
to  quote  SHERMAN,  was,  in  its  result,  "the  most  discredited 
affair  of  the  national  arms." 

At  that  time  Banks  was  not  under  the  authority  of  Grant, 
who,  however,  did  concede  a  loan  of  10,000  men  for  thirty  days, 
much  of  which  was  spent  in  celebrating.  Meanwhile  SHER 
MAN'S  Army  of  the  Tennessee  contingent  got  away  from  Vicks 
burg  on  time,  convoyed  by  Admiral  Porter's  fleet.  One  division 
landed  and  marched  up  and  captured  a  fort  below  Alexandria, 
when  the  whole  fleet  of  transports  and  convoys  ascended, 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  247 

arriving  on  the  day  appointed  (March  17);  the  Banks  end  did 
not  join  them  for  some  days  later. 

The  two  divisions  of  SHERMAN'S  army  were  so  long  delayed 
on  this  unfortunate  Red  River  expedition,  and  subsequently  on 
the  Mississippi,  that  they  did  not  share  with  their  comrades  the 
achievements  of  the  Atlanta  campaign.  In  fact,  did  not  join 
SHERMAN'S  army  again  until  just  in  time  to  assist  General 
Thomas  to  defeat  Hood  lx-fore  Nashville  nine  months  after. 

GRANT'S  APPRECIATIVE  TRIBUTE  TO  SHERMAN. 

On  his  way  up  the  Mississippi  occurred  an  incident  which 
gives  new  luster  to  the  characters  of  Grant  and  SHERMAN  as 
soldiers  and  friends,  as  it  brings  into  full  light  their  inner  con 
sciousness  of  themselves  and  of  each  other. 

The  story  is  told  in  an  exchange  of  letters  l>etween  the  two 
distinguished  parries,  the  first,  dated  March  4,  1864,  from 
Grant  to  SHERMAN,  delivered  by  an  aid  to  the  commanding 
general. 

After  announcing  the  revival  of  the  grade  of  lieutenant- 
general,  and  of  his  name  being  sent  to  the  Senate  for  the  place, 
he  continues: 

While  I  have  been  eminently  successful  in  this  war,  in  at  least  gaining 
the  confidence  of  the  public,  no  one  feels  more  than  I  how  much  of  this 
success  is  due  to  the  energy,  skill,  and  the  harmonious  putting  forth  of 
that  energy  and  skill,  of  those  whom  it  has  been  my  good  fortune  to  have 
occupying  subordinate  positions  under  me.  There  are  many  officers  to 
whom  these  remarks  are  applicable  to  a  greater  or  a  less  degree,  proportion 
ate  to  their  ability  as  soldiers;  but  what  I  want  is  to  express  my  thanks  to 
you  and  McPherson  as  the  men  to  whom,  alxjve  all  others,  I  feel  indebted 
for  whatever  I  have  had  of  success.  How  far  your  advice  and  suggestions 
have  been  of  assistance,  you  know.  How  far  your  execution  of  whatever 
has  been  given  you  to  do  entitles  you  to  the  reward  I  am  receiving,  you 
can  not  know  as  well  as  I  do.  I  feel  all  the  gratitude  this  letter  would 
express,  giving  it  the  most  flattering  construction.  The  word  "you"  I 
use  in  the  plural,  intending  it  for  McPherson  also.  I  should  write  to 
him,  and  will  some  day,  but,  starting  in  the  morning,  I  do  not  know  that 
I  will  find  time  just  now.  Your  friend. 


248  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

SHERMAN'S  PATHETIC  TRIBUTE  TO  GRANT. 

In  acknowledging  from  near  Memphis  on  March  10  "your 
more  than  kind  and  characteristic  letter, ' '  SHERMAN  replies, 
"private  and  confidential,"  in  an  equally  "characteristic" 
tone: 

You  do  yourself  injustice  and  us  too  much  honor  in  assigning  to  us  so 
large  a  share  of  the  merits  which  have  led  to  your  high  advancement. 
You  are  now  Washington's  legitimate  successor,  and  occupy  a  position  of 
almost  dangerous  elevation;  hut  if  you  can  continue  as  heretofore  to  be 
yourself — simple,  honest,  and  unpretending — you  will  enjoy  through  life 
the  respect  and  love  of  friends  and  the  homage  of  millions  of  human 
beings  who  will  award  to  you  a  large  share  for  securing  to  them  and  their 
descendants  a  government  of  law  and  stability.  I  repeat,  you  do  General 
McPherson  and  myself  too  much  honor.  At  Belmont  you  manifested 
your  traits,  neither  of  us  being  near;  at  Donelson  also  you  illustrated  your 
whole  character.  I  was  not  near,  and  General  McPherson  in  too  subordi 
nate  a  capacity  to  influence  you.  Until  you  had  won  Donelson  I  confess  I 
was  almost  cowed  by  the  terrible  array  of  anarchical  elements  that  pre 
sented  themselves  at  every  point;  but  that  victory  admitted  the  ray  of 
light  which  I  have  followed  ever  since.  I  believe  you  are  as  brave, 
patriotic,  and  just  as  the  great  prototype  Washington;  as  unselfish,  kind- 
hearted,  and  honest  as  a  man  should  be;  but  the  chief  characteristic  of 
your  nature  is  the  simple  faith  in  success  you  have  always  manifested, 
which  I  can  liken  to  nothing  else  than  the  faith  a  Christian  has  in  his 
Savior.  This  faith  gave  you  victory  at  Shiloh  and  Vicksburg.  Also  when 
you  have  completed  your  best  preparations  you  go  into  battle  without 
hesitation,  as  at  Chattanooga— no  doubts,  no  reserves;  and  I  tell  you  that 
it  was  this  that  made  us  act  with  confidence.  I  knew  wherever  I  was  that 
you  thought  of  me,  and  if  I  got  in  a  tight  place  you  would  come — if  alive. 
My  only  points  of  doubt  were  as  to  your  knowledge  of  grand  strategy  and 
of  books  of  science  and  history;  but  I  confess  your  common  sense  seemed 
to  have  supplied  all  this.  Now  as  to  the  future.  Do  not  stay  in  Wash 
ington.  Halleck  is  better  qualified  than  you  are  to  stand  the  buffets  of 
intrigue  and  policy.  Come  out  West,  take  to  yourself  the  whole  Missis 
sippi  Valley;  let  us  make  it  dead  sure.  Even  in  the  seceded 
States  your  word  now  would  go  further  than  a  President's  proclamation 
or  an  act  of  Congress.  For  God's  sake  and  for  your  country's  sake  come 
out  of  Washington.  I  now  exhort  you  to  come  out  West.  * 
There  lies  the  seat  of  coming  empire,  and  from  the  West,  when  our  task 
is  done,  we  will  make  short  work  of  Charleston  and  Richmond  and  the 
impoverished  coast  of  the  Atlantic.  Your  sincere  friend. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Ske/ch.  249 

COMMANDS    THK    MILITARY    DIVISION    OK    THE    MISSISSIPPI. 


General  SHKKMAN  reached  Memphis  three  days  later.  IK- 
there  received  a  dispatch  to  come  to  Nashville  in  person  by  the 
1 7th  (March).  Upon  his  arrival  General  Grant  informed  him 
that  he  had  been  to  Washington  and  had  orders  to  return  Kast 
to  command  all  the  armies  of  the  United  States  and  personally 
the  armies  of  the  Potomac  and  the  James.  At  the  same  time 
he  (SHERMAN)  would  succeed  to  the  command  (G.  ().,  48,  War 
Department,  March  12,  1864)  of  the  Military  Division  of  the 
Mississippi — (Departments  of  the  Ohio  (Schofield),  Cumber 
land  ( Thomas  ) .  Tennessee  (  McPherson  ) ,  and  Arkansas  ( Steele  ) . 

On  March  iS,  in  orders,  General  SHKRMAN  announced  his 
assumption  of  his  new  command. 

A    CHAPTER    OK    INCIDENTS. 

It  is  necessary  to  digress  here,  else  the  story  may  not  be  told, 
as  SHERMAN  himself  is  its  authority.  General  Grant  announced 
that  "they"  were  about  to  present  him  with  a  sword  and 
desired  SHERMAN  to  witness  the  ceremony.  "They"  strolled 
into  the  dining  room,  where  Grant  introduced  his  fellow- 
townsmen,  the  mayor,  and  another  citi/en  of  Galena,  111.,  no 
others  being  present  except  Mrs.  Grant  and  family  and  the 
General's  ]>ersonal  aids. 

The  mayor  read  a  finished  speech,  at  the  close  of  which  he 
handed  General  Grant  the  formal  resolutions  of  the  city  coun 
cil  engrossed  on  parchment,  with  a  ribbon  and  broad  seal. 

In  reply,  Grant  said:  "  Mr.  Mayor,  as  I  knew  that  this  cere 
mony  was  to  occur,  and  as  I  am  not  used  to  speaking,  I  have 
written  something  in  reply." 

SHERMAN  adds: 

He  then  1x;jjan  to  fumble  in   his  jx>ckets,  first  in   his  breast  coat,  then 
his  pants,  vest,  etc.,  and  after  considerable  delay  pulled  out  a  crumpled 
S.  Doc.  520,  5-S-2 17 


250  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

piece  of  common  yellow  cartridge  paper,  which  he  handed  to  the  mayor. 
*  *  *  When  read,  however,  the  substance  of  his  answer  was  most 
excellent,  short,  concise,  and  if  it  had  been  delivered  by  word  of  mouth 
would  have  been  all  that  the  occasion  required. 

As  SHERMAN  well  adds: 

I  could  not  help  laughing  at  a  scene  so  characteristic  of  the  man  who 
then  stood  prominent  before  the  country,  and  to  whom  all  had  turned  as 
the  only  one  qualified  to  guide  the  nation  in  a  war  that  had  become 
painfully  critical. 

Another  incident  in  point  may  be  mentioned.  The  corps 
commanders  were  assembled  at  Nashville  to  meet  Generals 
Grant  and  SHERMAN,  the  former  as  commander  of  all  the 
armies  of  the  United  States,  and  the  latter  of  the  Military 
Division  of  the  Mississippi.  In  order  to  while  away  the  evening 
SHERMAN  suggested  the  theater.  They  paid  their  way  in  as 
the  rest  and  sat  down  in  the  front  balcony  row.  "Hamlet" 
was  the  bill.  The  place  was  crowded  with  soldiers.  Unable 
to  stand  such  foul  murder  of  his  favorate  hero,  SHERMAN 
exclaimed  excitedly:  ' '  Dodge,  that  is  no  way  to  play  Hamlet. ' ' 

"General,  don't  talk  so  loud,  some  of  the  boys  will  discover 
us,  and  then  there'll  be  a  scene  not  in  the  play." 

But  his  indignation  was  hard  to  repress. 

In  the  grave  scene,  during  the  soliloquy  over  the  skull  of 
Yorick,  a  soldier  jumped  up  yelling  from  a  back  seat:  "Say, 
pard,  was  it  Yank  or  Reb?  " 

The  house  came  down.  Grant  making  for  the  exit,  observ 
ing  sotto  voce. 

"SHERMAN,  we  had  better  get  out  of  here  or  we'll  be  in  a 
worse  scrape  than  the  enemy  can  set  up  for  us." 

Out  they  went,  in  hasty  retreat,  just  as  the  boys  caught  on. 

The  effect  of  the  Meridian  expedition,  as  SHERMAN  foresaw, 
was  the  transfer  of  two  fine  veteran  divisions  of  5,000  men  each, 
idle  in  Vicksburg,  to  the  main  body  of  the  Army  of  the  Ten 
nessee  preparing  for  operations  in  Georgia. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  251 

And  showing  a  touch  of  love  in  his  instructions  (  March  14  ) 
to  McPherson  interposes,  "steal  a  furlough  and  run  to  Haiti- 
more  incog,  hut  get  back  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  next  great 
move." 

The  visit  suggested  was  to  his  lady  love.  He  did  not  go, 
but  sent  a  letter  .instead,  by  the  hand  of  a  newspaper  friend 
(the  writer),  to  a  post-office  beyond  the  lines,  explaining  the 
situation.  The  close  of  the  campaign  was  expected  to  find 
him  at  the  nuptial  altar,  instead  he  filled  a  soldier's  grave. 

PLANNING    A    CLOSING    CAMPAIGN. 

General  SHKRMAN  accompanied  General  Grant  as  far  as  Cin 
cinnati  on  his  way  East  to  assume  the  duties  of  his  enlarged 
command  in  order  to  privately  discuss  a  multitude  of  details 
incident  to  the  preparations  for  the  combined  military  move 
ments  in  view. 

It  was  one  of  the  favorite  projects  of  Grant  to  make  suitable 
provision  in  an  active  way  for  some  of  the  officers  of  merit  and 
prominence  who  had  been  elbowed  out  of  command  and  shelved 
in  the  numerous  shuffles  of  the  earlier  stages  of  the  war,  among 
them,  McClellan,  Burnside,  and  Fremont  of  the  armies  of  the 
Kast.and  Buell,  McCook,  Xegley,  and  Crittenden  of  the  armies 
of  the  West.  Grant  had  reached  a  quasi  supreme  authority 
which  enabled  him  to  venture  on  so  bold  a  stroke,  as  a  balm  to 
former  humiliations  and  to  allay  discontent  and  as  well  to 
give  these  officers  proper  commands  and  a  chance  to  regain 
lost  prestige. 

In  these  pleasing  abstractions  SHERMAN  heartily  coincided  and 
was  specifically  directed  by  Grant  in  his  reorganization  to  keep 
this  point  in  mind  with  reference  to  officers  formerly  in  the 
armies  under  his  command,  indicating  that  he  would  do  the 
same  with  reference  to  his. 


252    •  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

The  scheme,  so  reassuring  in  conversation,  fell  through,  in 
some  cases  owing  to  the  unwarranted  expectations  of  the  offi 
cers  themselves  and  in  others  the  failure  to  win  the  approval  of 
the  still  uppermost  element  in  the  original  contention.  The 
course  of  Grant  had  been  entirely  voluntary,  yet  he,  and  SHER 
MAN  as  well,  got  nothing  but  criticism  and  censure  for  their 
magnanimity  and  their  pains. 

During  this  conference  General  Grant  also  expressed  a  wish 
to  take  some  of  the  officers  who  had  served  under  him  in  the 
West  for  positions  of  command  in  his  new  field.  To  this,  how 
ever,  General  SHERMAN  strongly  objected,  wishing  to  have  the 
old  armies  left  intact.  General  Grant  finally  relented  but 
insisted  on  Sheridan,  notwithstanding  the  most  urgent  appeals. 

Both  now  turned  their  attention  to  the  substantials  of  the 
task  before  them. 

PREPARATIONS    FOR    THE    INVASION    OF    GEORGIA. 
[APRIL-MAY,     1S((4.] 

Returning  to  Nashville,  SHERMAN  began  making  his  arrange 
ments  for  the  complete  control  of  the  vast  region  already 
conquered,  the  protection  of  his  lines  of  supply,  and  the 
mobilization  and  equipment  of  the  proposed  army  of  invasion 
of  Georgia,  which  was  to  move  in  concert  with  Grant  against 
Richmond.  Thomas  was  at  Chattanooga,  McPherson  at  Hunts- 
ville,  and  Schofield  at  Knoxville.  The  enemy,  under  Gen. 
Joseph  E.  Johnston,  was  entrenched  at  Dalton  with  40,000  to 
50,000  men  and  receiving  reinforcements  from  Mississippi  and 
Georgia. 

SHERMAN'S  ARMY  OF  INVASION. 

The  time  originally  fixed  by  General  Grant  for  a  simulta 
neous  advance  of  the  armies,  east  and  west,  was  Mav  i. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  253 

The  subject  of  transportation,  the  most  difficult  problem  in 
aggressive  war,  engaged  SHKRMAX'S  most  minute  attention,  for, 
despite  the  unbounded  valor  of  his  men,  he  well  understood  the 
indispensable  adjunct  of  abundant  supplies  of  food,  munitions, 
and  clothing.  He  also  made  efforts  to  secure  the  return  of  his 
two  loaned  divisions,  but  the  disaster  on  the  Red  River  pre 
cluded  any  expectations  from  that  source. 

His  other  department,  that  of  Arkansas,  was  not  only  remote, 
but  so  hopelessly  involved  in  extricating  Hanks  from  his  Red 
River  dilemma  that  no  dependence  could  be  placed  upon  it  to 
contribute  to  the  campaign. 

This  department  was  subsequently  transferred  to  the  Military 
Division  of  the  Gulf. 

The  general  of  the  Division  was  fortunate  in  having  as  army 
commanders  men  like  Thomas,  McPherson,  and  Schofield,  dis 
tinctive  in  adaptivity  to  their  coordinate  parts  and  en  masse  an 
invincible  whole. 

The  relative  strength  of  the  three  armies  at  this  time  was: 


1'resent  and      Present  for 
absent.  <lut\. 


«  

KS  XM 

Total  ... 

112.  26* 

l?x>.  082 

From    which   deduct    garrisons  and  railroad    guards  or   net 
organised  for  field  work: 

Army  of  the  Cuml>erlan<l      50,  ooo 

Army  of  the  Tennessee 35,  ooo 

Army  of  the  Ohio 15,  ooo 

Total loo,  ooo 


254  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Skefcli. 

The  organization  of  this  force  April   10,  1864,  was: 

Army  of -the  Cumberland. — Maj.  Gen.  George  H.  Thomas,  commanding; 
department  staff,  Brig.  Gen.  W.  I).  Whipple;  Fourth  Army  Corps,  Maj. 
Gen.  O.  O.  Howard;  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  Maj.  Gen.  J.  M.  Palmer; 
Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Army  Corps,  Maj.  Gen.  J.  Hooker;  besides  district 
commands,  detachments,  and  unassigned  infantry,  cavalry,  and  artillery, 
350  guns  and  12,733  serviceable  horses. 

Army  of  the  Tennessee. — Maj.  Gen.  J.  B.  McPherson,  commanding; 
department  staff,  Col.  \V.  T.  Clark;  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  Maj.  Gen. 
John  A.  Logan;  Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  Maj.  Gen.  G,  M.  Dodge;  Seven 
teenth  Army  Corps,  Maj.  Gen.  Frank  P.  Blair.  Signal  detachment,  280 
guns  and  9,807  serviceable  horses. 

Army  of  the  Ohio. — Maj.  Gen.  J.  M.  Schofield,  commanding;  Twenty- 
third  Army  Corps,  Maj.  Gen.  J.  D.  Cox;  Cavalry  Corps,  Maj.  Gen.  G. 
Stoneman.  Besides  districts.  Six  hundred  and  two  guns,  defenses  of 
Knoxville,  and  2,032  serviceable  horses. 

FIELD    ORDERS    CONCERNING    IMPEDIMENTA. 

To  insure  the  mobility  of  this  force  the  impedimenta  were 
reduced  to  a  minimum.  Each  officer  and  soldier  in  addition  to 
equipment  was  ordered  to  carry  on  his  person  rations  and  cloth 
ing  for  five  days.  Kach  regiment  was  limited  to  one  wagon 
and  one  ambulance.  Officers  of  each  company  were  allowed 
but  one  pack  horse  or  mule.  Each  division  \vas  to  have  a  fair 
proportion  of  wagons  for  its  supply  train,  limited  to  food,  am 
munition,  and  clothing.  Tents  weie  forbidden,  except  to  the 
sick  and  wounded,  and  only  one  allowed  to  headquarters,  for 
office  use. 

The  General  set  the  example,  he  and  all  officers  about  him 
being  supplied  each  with  a  wall-tent  fly,  with  no  poles  nor  fur 
niture,  the  former  improvised  on  the  spot  by  saplings,  fence 
rails  or  posts.  This  example  was  uniformly  followed  by  gen 
eral  officers,  except  General  Thomas,  wrho,  though  often  quasi  - 
seriously  joked  about  it  by  the  chief,  took  with  him  a  regular 
headquarters  camp,  which  got  the  name  "Thomas's  circus" 
among  the  troops.  SHERMAN  speaks  of  finding  quartermasters 
hidden  away  in  the  rear,  surrounded  by  the  luxury  of  tents 


Sherman:  .-/  Memorial  Sketch. 


255 


ami  mess  fixtures,  which  when  discovered  were  broken  up  and 
the  tents  distributed  to  surgeons  of  brigades. 

As  a  result  of  these  stringent  orders,  says  SHERMAN: 

It  is  doubtful  if  ever  any  army  went  forth  to  battle  with  fewer  impedi 
menta  and  where  the  required  and  necessary  supplies  of  food,  ammuni 
tion,  and  clothing  were  issued  as  called  for  so  regularly  and  so  well. 

On  May  i  the  actual  armies  ready  to  follow  the  lead  of  SHER 
MAN  into  Georgia  were: 


Infantry. 

Artillery. 

Cavalry. 

Total. 

Guns. 

2   177 

60 

IV 

I,  404 

*>24 

24,  465 

96 

ii.  183 

679 

1,627 

i  T,,  559 

28 

Total  effective  strength  

88,  188 

.     . 

6,  149 

98,797 

2S4 

The  Army  of  the  Tennessee  was  short  two  divisions  not  freed 
from  the  Red  River  service  and  part  of  the  Seventeenth  Corps 
on  "veteran  furlough,"  which  joined  later. 

To  these  armies  were  reported  belonging  April  10  24,572 
serviceable  horses,  but  in  the  returns  available  not  differentiated 
as  to  field,  garrison,  and  supply  service.  The  number  of  guns, 
in  all  1,240,  attached  to  each  army,  already  given,  shows  the 
relative  strength  of  artillery  assigned  to  field  and  garrison 
service. 

The  above  figures  do  not  include  the  detached  cavalry  com 
mands,  as  Stoneman,  4,000,  Garrard,  4,500,  and  others  smaller, 
constantly  changing  in  strength  and  wherealxnits  on  flying 
service  on  the  extreme  flanks  or  special  detached  duty. 

The  strength  of  General  Johnston's  army  at  Dalton,  Ga.,  on 
the  same  day  was — 

Infantry 37,  652 

Artillery 2,  812 

Cavalry 2,  392 

Total  .  .  ....   42,  856 


256  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

GRANT'S  FINAL  ORDERS  AND  SHERMAN'S  REPLY. 

In  letters  of  April  4  from  Washington  and  19  from  Cul- 
peper  General  Grant  directed  that  under  all  orders  received  by 
SHERMAN  respecting  the  armies  under  his  command  the  details 
were  left  to  him  as  to  plan  and  execution,  that  his  objective 
was  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  then  in  defensive  intrenchments 
at  Dalton,  Ga.,  "to  follow  him  up  closely  and  persistently  so 
that  no  part  might  assist  General  Lee  in  Virginia,"  General 
Grant  himself  "  undertaking  to  keep  Lee  busy." 

SHERMAN  replied  to  the  first  letter  on  April  10: 

We  are  now  all  to  act  on  a  common  plan  converging  on  a  common  cen 
ter,  which  looks  like  enlightened  war.  Like  yourself  you  take  the  big 
gest  load  and  from  me  you  shall  have  thorough  and  hearty  cooperation. 

After  outlining  his  plan  of  operations,  SHERMAN  closes  in  his 
epigrammatic  way: 

Georgia  has  a  million  inhabitants.  If  they  can  live  we  should  not 
starve.  If  the  enemy  interrupt  our  communications  I  will  be  absolved 
from  all  obligations  to  subsist  on  our  own  resources,  and  will  feel  per 
fectly  justified  in  taking  whatever  and  wherever  we  can  find. 

I  will  inspire  my  command  with  the  feeling  that  beef  and  salt  are  all 
that  is  absolutely  necessary  to  life,  and  that  parched  corn  once  fed  General 
Jackson's  army  on  that  very  ground. 

In  his  letter  of  igth  Gr^int  cautioned  him  against  a  possibility 
in  event  of  great  success  of  a  concentration  on  one  or  the  other. 

If  the  enemy  therefore  [says  Grant]  on  your  front  shows  signs  of  join 
ing  Lee  follow  him  up  to  the  full  extent  of  your  ability.  I  will  prevent 
the  concentration  of  Lee  upon  your  front  if  it  is  in  the  power  of  this  army 
to  do  it. 

On  April  28  SHERMAN  removed  his  headquarters  to  Chat 
tanooga.  May  5  was  the  alternate  day  fixed  upon  for  the 
simultaneous  advance  of  Grant  in  the  East  and  SHERMAN  in 
the  West. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  257 

THE    CAMPAIT.N    IN    GEORGIA. 
[MAY  ft-UH  KMHKK  SI,  IM«4.J 

On  the  day  appointed  SHKKMAX  accompanied  by  his  field 
stafT  rode  to  Ringgold,  where  he  gave  the  portentous  command 
"Forward."  The  campaign  in  Georgia  then  l>egan. 

It  is  not  relevant  nor  practicable  in  the  circumscribed  space 
of  a  sketch  of  this  character  to  follow  the  armies  in  their 
respective  details,  but  simply  to  convey  an  idea  of  the  move 
ment  in  illustration  of  the  genius  of  its  master  mind. 

Fighting  whenever  and  wherever  necessary  was  SHERMAN'S 
motto.  Therefore  only  trimonthly  reports  of  effective  strength 
were  called  for.  SHERMAN  proceeded  to  deliver  the  deathblow 
to  the  Confederacy  with  his  sword  in  one  hand  and  a  United 
States  census  table  of  1860  and  report  of  the  comptroller  of 
Georgia  in  the  other. 

General  Dodge  having  completed  the  rebuilding  of  the  rail 
road  from  Decatur  to  Nashville  several  months  before,  was 
lying  along  that  road  and  guarding  the  Tennessee  River  from 
Decatur  west  when  he  received  an  order  to  hasten  to  Chatta 
nooga,  arriving  May  5.  SHERMAN  read  to  him  the  dispatches 
which  had  passed  between  General  Grant  and  himself. 

"Now,  Dodge,  you  see  what  you  have  to  do.  Where  are 
your  troops? 

"They  are  unloading." 

Turning  to  McPherson,  "  I  think  you  had  better  send  Dodge 
to  take  Ships  Gap  to-night." 

"General,"  said  McPherson,  "that  is  30  miles  away." 

"No  matter,"  said  SHERMAN,  "let  him  try  it." 

SHERMAN  gave  Dodge  a  map  of  the  road  and  gap. 

Dodge  did  "try  it,"  captured  the  gap,  and  pushed  through. 
This  movement  enabled  him  to  take  Snake  Creek  Gap  on  the 
8th  of  May,  placing  him  in  the  enemy's  rear. 


258  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

The  movement  was  so  successful  that  SHERMAN  thought  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee  (McPherson)  should  have  planted  itself 
across  the  railroad  near  Resaca  in  Johnston's  rear,  which  would 
have  compelled  Johnston  to  abandon  his  trains  and  fight  or 
make  a  long  detour  to  the  east.  The  general  always  insisted 
had  the  15,000  men  in  the  movement  planted  itself  squarely 
in  front  of  Resaca  it  would  have  broken  up  Johnston's  army 
right  there.  The  quick  surprise  forced  Johnston  out  of  his 
impregnable  position  at  Dalton  and  drove  him  south  of  the 
Oostenaula  River. 

The  next  day  Schofield  (May  7),  Thomas  leading  the  col 
umn  of  direction  in  force,  advanced  against  Tunnel  Hill. 

In  principle  SHERMAN  proposed  to  depend  more  upon  strategic 
maneuvering  than  frontal  attack.  When  possible,  therefore,  to 
merely — 

press  strongly  at  all  points  in  front,  ready  to  rush  in  upon  first  appearance 
of  letting  go  and  to  catch  the  enemy  in  the  confusion  of  retreat. 

After  the  battle  of  Dalton  on  May  14,  as  soon  as  Johnston 
discovered  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  across  the  railway  in 
front  of  Resaca  and  holding  Snake  Creek  Gap,  he  immediately 
fell  back  towards  Resaca.  After  the  battle  at  that  point  he 
retreated  south  of  that  place. 

In  the  words  of  SHERMAN: 

We  should  have  captured  half  of  Johnston's  army  and  all  his  artillery 
and  wagons  at  the  beginning  of  the  campaign,  [but]  McPherson  was 
justified  by  his  orders. 

By  the  i5th  Johnston  had  his  ami)7  safe  across  the  bridges 
in  his  rear,  and  was  moving  quickly  to  his  next  point  of  retro 
grade  defense.  While  SHERMAN'S  army  wras  double  that  of 
the  enemy,  the  latter  had  the  advantage  of  natural  obstacles, 
choice  of  position,  and,  to  a  degree,  selection  of  time  and  place 
of  battle. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  259 

The  advance  of  pursuit  encountered  on  the  i7th  the  rear 
guard  of  the  enemy  near  Adairsville.  He,  however,  continued 
his  retreat  to  Kingston  where,  on  the  igth,  Thomas  deployed 
for  action,  but  was  refused,  the  enemy  falling  back  "in  echelon 
of  divisions,  steadily  and  in  superb  order"  into  Cassville,  May 
19,  all  the  way  making  strong  resistance,  seemingly  for  a  fight 
at  that  point.  The  advancing  armies  had  orders  to  close  down 
on  the  place  the  next  morning  (2oth),  but  the  enemy  had 
evacuated  the  position.  On  the  i8th  Rome  was  occupied  by 
part  of  SHERMAN'S  force. 

The  cavalry  continued  the  pursuit,  a  few  days  l>eing  util- 
i/.ed  by  the  infantry  for  rest,  repair  of  the  railroad,  and  bring 
ing  up  supplies.  The  country  was  practically  depopulated, 
the  inhabitants  fleeing  and  much  encumbering  Johnston's 
movements. 

An  order  of  Johnston,  picked  up  on  the  road,  dated  at  Adairs 
ville,  stated  that  "he  (Johnston)  had  retreated  as  far  as 
strategy  required;  that  the  army  must  be  prepared  for  battle 
at  Cassville."  The  Southern  newspapers  were  indulging 
in  a  fusillade  of  denunciation  for  falling  back  without  a 
battle.  His  friends,  however,  insisted  that  his  retrograde  was 
designed  to  illure  SHKKMAN  into  his  meshes  so  that  he  might 
suddenly  assume  -the  offensive  and  the  more  easily  overwhelm 
him. 

This  was  playing  precisely  into  SHERMAN'S  hands,  as  he  was 
particularly  desirous  of  one  grand  decisive  test  of  strength  at 
this  period  in  his  work,  when  his  armies  in  numbers  and  fresh 
ness  were  at  their  best,  and  before  they  had  l>een  necessarily 
depleted  by  drafts  for  railroad  guards. 

The  entire  corps  of  Polk  had  now  come  up  from  Mississippi, 
which  gave  Johnston  a  formidable  army  of  three  corps — Hood's, 
Folk's,  and  Hardee's — aggregating  60,000  men. 


260  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

In  the  words  of  SHERMAN: 

I  could  not  then  imagine  why  Johnston  declined  a  battle  (at 
I  never  learned  until  after  the  war,  and  then  from  Johnston  him; el'. 

In  brief,  owing  to  an  enfilading  position  attained  by  SHER 
MAN'S  artillery,  disagreements  among  corps  commanders,  and 
certain  criticism  of  his  movements,  from  which  Johnston  took 
offense. 

SHERMAN  recalls  in  his  "Memoirs"'  his  visit  (already  alluded 
to)  to  this  country  in  1844,  and  the  particular  attention  he  gave 
to  the  topography  about  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Allatoona  Pass, 
and  the  Etowah  River. 

He  knew,  from  observation,  the  strength  of  that  famous  Alla 
toona  Pass,  difficult  to  seige  by  nature  and  difficult  to  force  by 
arms.  These  facts  led  him  not  to  try  it  by  direct  attack,  but 
by  strategic  maneuvers  from  Kingston  to  Marietta,  by  way  of 
Dallas. 

THE    BATTLE    OF   DALLAS. 
[MAY  26-28,  1864.] 

The  advance  was  resumed  on  May  23,  the  movement  contem 
plating  the  leaving  of  the  railroad  and  twenty  days'  dependence 
on  the  wagons.  The  country  was  wild,  sparsely  inhabited,  and 
little  known  in  detail,  even  on  the  maps.  Thomas  moved 
generally  by  the  valley  of  the  Euharlee,  a  tributary  of  the 
Ktowah,  thence  across  a  bridge,  capturing  a  strong  picket,  and 
shaping  toward  Dallas,  the  point  of  destination.  This  was  a 
place  of  concentration  of  a  number  of  roads  from  all  directions. 
Its  occupation  also  was  a  menace  to  Marietta  and  Atlanta. 
The  movement,  however,  at  this  time  was  simply  to  crowd 
Johnston  out  of  the  stronghold  of  Allatoona. 

On  May  25  all  columns  were  headed  for  the  objective.  Near 
a  village  called  New  Hope  Church,  an  important  crossroads  5 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  261 

miles  north  of  Dallas,  the  movement  encountered  a  considerable 
infantry  force  coming  down  from  Allatoona,  which  developed 
into  sanguinary  fighting  for  ten  days.  So  fierce  was  the 
onslaught  on  both  sides  that  the  men  gave  the  locality,  so 
religiously  named,  the  alias  Hell-hole. 

Notwithstanding  the  pouring  rain,  SHKKMAN*  decided  to 
renew  the  battle  at  daylight  and  effect  a  lodgment  on  the  Dalton 
and  AllatcxMia  road.  This  movement  revealed  a  strong  line  of 
entrenchments,  supported  by  a  heavy  force.  The  renewed 
attack  was  without  success.  General  Johnston  was  in  personal 
command. 

On  the  26th  McPherson  reached  Dallas.  In  attempting  to 
change  position  two  days  later  from  Dallas  to  Hooker's  right 
he  was  viciously  assailed.  Although  he  repulsed  the  attack, 
inflicting  heavy  loss,  he  was  unable  to  withdraw  from  Dallas  and 
effect  the  proposed  junction  until  June  i. 

During  this  time  stubborn  fighting  attended  every  movement 
on  either  side.  Both  lines,  which  were  from  6  to  10  miles  in 
length,  were  well  strengthened  by  rifle  trenches  to  resist 
dashes. 

SHERMAN  had  secured  possession  of  all  the  wagon  roads 
l>etween  New  Hope  Church,  Allatoona,  and  Acworth. 

RESULTS    OF    THE    OPERATIONS    OF    MAY. 

On  June  4  Johnston,  threatened  with  complete  investment  of 
all  avenues  of  retreat,  abandoned  his  position,  leaving  Alla 
toona  and  Dallas  entirely  free.  General  SHERMAN  at  once 
moved  his  armies  back  to  the  railroad,  which  he  occupied  from 
Allatoona  to  Acworth,  toward  Big  Shanty,  in  sight  of  Kene- 
saw  Mountain.  The  net  result  of  the  operations  of  the  first 
month  of  the  campaign  was  an  advance  of  100  miles,  from 
Chattanooga  to  Big  Shanty,  overcoming  every  obstacle  and 


262  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch, 

securing  complete  control  of  as  difficult  a  country  as  was  ever 
fought  over  by  a  civilized  army.  This  included  the  tenable 
positions  of  Dalton,  Resaca,  Cassville,  Allatoona,  and  Dallas, 
with  the  army  in  condition  to  follow  up  this  success  by  an 
immediate  movement. 

The  aggregate  losses  for  May  were,  Army  of  the  Cumberland, 
6,859;  °f  the  Tennessee,  1,271;  and  of  the  Ohio,  1,172;  a 
total  of  9,295,  allowing  one-fifth  for  killed. 

This  may  be  regarded  as  showing  approximately  the  pro 
portion  of  fighting  by  each  army. 

The  reenforcements  received  by  General  Johnston  before 
reaching  Cassville  were: 

Polk,  Third  Division 12,  ooo 

Martin,  division  of  cavalry 3,  500 

Jackson,  division  of  cavalry 3,  900 

Quarles,  at  New  Hope  Church 2,  200 


Total 21,  600 

Army  at  Dalton,  opening  of  the  campaign 42,  856 


Johnston's  total  at  Kenesaw 64,  456 

The  enemy's  losses  from  Dalton  to  New  Hope  Church  were 

5,893 — killed,   721;   wounded,   4,672 — which  does   not  include 

missing  or  prisoners. 

The  whole  number  of  these  for  the  campaign  of    four  and 

one-half  months  was  12,893  by  name,  which  in  due  proportion 

would  add  3,245  to  the  enemy's  losses  for  May,  or  total  8,638 

against  SHERMAN'S  9,299. 

ESTABLISHES    A    SECONDARY    BASE. 

The  immediate  attention  of  SHERMAN  besides  the  recupera 
tion  of  his  army  was  the  repair  of  the  railroad  to  Allatoona 
station  and  the  fortification  of  the  place,  leaving  a  garrison 
of  1,500  men  as  a  secondary  base.  The  three  armies  were 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  263 

well  in  hand.  The  new  regiments  received  and  "furlough 
men"  returning  about  equaling  the  losses  by  casualties  of 
battle,  climate,  and  exposure.  Their  total  numerical  strength 
was  therefore  about  100,000  men. 

MOVEMENTS    OX    KENESAW. 
[MAY  •:-  .11  M    10,   1H64.] 

On  June  10  the  entire  army  advanced  6  miles  to  Big 
Shanty,  on  the  railroad.  From  this  point  the  enemy's  posi 
tion  was  in  plain  view  on  the  advance  slopes  of  the  three 
prominent  elevations  of  Kenesaw,  Pine,  and  Lost  mountains. 
The  signal  stations  were  conspicuous.  The  parapets  were 
manned  by  masses  of  infantry  on  ground  well  chosen  and 
prepared  for  battle. 

The  defect  of  position  afterwards  remedied  was  length  of 
line,  10  miles,  for  which  the  enemy's  force  of  64,000  men 
was  inadequate. 

On  the  i  ith  SHERMAN'S  skirmish  line  was  within  hailing 
distance  of  the  enemy.  An  incident  is  mentioned  of  one  of 
his  locomotive  engineers.  A  water  station  in  advance  was 
within  range  of  the  opposing  batteries.  The  locomotive 
being  "thirsty,"  the  engineer  proposed  to  satisfy  it.  He 
moved  up  and  filled  his  tank,  the  enemy  meanwhile  firing 
at  him  with  all  his  might.  He  then  gracefully  backed  off, 
blowing  his  whistle  exultantly,  while  the  troops  cheered  lustily. 
The  iron  horse  stood  his  ground  and  got  off  without  a  scratch. 

The  defeat  of  Sturgis's  cavalry  on  June  10  by  Forrest's 
roving  troopers  increased  the  anxiety  of  SHERMAN  of  a  raid 
on  all  the  railroads  in  Tennessee.  But  the  defeat  of  that 
doughty  raider  by  A.  J.  Smith  in  July  at  Tupelo  kept  things 
so  lively  in  Mississippi  that  Forrest  was  unable  to  trouble 
matters  in  Tennessee. 


264  SJicrman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

The  extent  of  SHERMAN'S  lines  confronting  the  enemy's 
position  011  the  three  mountains  was  about  the  same — 10  miles. 
He  now  gave  his  personal  attention  to  reconnoitering  his  adver 
sary's  position  with  a  view  to  piercing  his  line  between  Kene- 
saw  and  Pine  mountains.  The  opposing  battle  fronts  were  not 
800  yards  apart. 

While  on  this  duty,  not  satisfied  with  the  artillery  practice, 
the  General  ordered  a  battery  in  position  about  600  yards  from 
the  enemy,  to  give  him  three  volleys  in  quick  succession,  and 
rode  on.  He  heard  the  shots,  but  paid  no  attention  to  the 
effect. 

The  signal  officers,  having  discovered  the  ' '  key  ' '  to  the  sig 
nals  of  the  enemy,  almost  instantly  interpreted  a  message  from 
Pine  Mountain  to  Marietta,  "Send  ambulance  for  General 
Folk's  body,"  which  was  repeated  later  in  the  day,  evidently 
on  account- of  delay.  This  intelligence  was  confirmed  by  pris 
oners  brought  in  toward  night.  General  SHERMAN  always 
denied  the  well-meant  romance  that  he  fired  the  gun  which 
killed  Maj.  Gen.  (Bishop)  Leonidas  Polk.  He  did  order  up 
the  battery  and  told  it  what  to  do,  so  constructively  he  was 
personally  associated  with  that  unexpected  blow  to  the  per 
sonnel  of  command  in  Johnston's  army. 

On  the  1 5th  SHERMAN,  feeling  his  way  forward,  intending  to 
attack  any  weak  point  lie  might  develop  between  the  two  moun 
tains,  found  that  Johnston  had  contracted  his  lines  to  connect 
Kenesaw  and  Lost  Mountain.  The  assets  of  the  movement, 
however,  were  many  prisoners,  among  them  an  entire  Alabama 
regiment  (Fourteenth)  of  320  men. 

On  the  1 8th,  in  another  general  advance,  Lost  Mountain  was 
found  abandoned.  The  enemy's  position  thus  concentrated 
was  evidently  as  dangerous  for  assault  as  a  permanent  fort. 


Sherman:  A  Manorial  Sketch.  265 

FIKLD    DKFKNSKS — A    XOVKI.TY    IX    \VAK. 

These  impromptu  line-of-battle  defenses  became  a  part  of  the 
tactics  of  both  armies. 

They  were  then  a  novelty  in  the  art  of  war,  of  purely  Amer 
ican  origin,  but  are  now  generally  adopted  by  all  armies  as 
among  the  exigencies  presented  by  scientifically  developed  high- 
power  long-range  arms,  great  and  small.  These  improvised 
hand-to-hand  defenses,  as  it  were,  may  be  explained  by  way 
of  description  of  the  defensive  strength  of  the  confronting  lines 
at  Kenesaw  Mountain  and  throughout  the  campaign.  Upon 
reaching  its  forward  or  battle  line  of  advance,  the  command 
felled  trees  and  bushes  for  a  distance  of  100  yards  on  its  front, 
which  served  as  an  abattis.  A  parapet  of  earth  from  4  to  6 
feet  high  was  thrown  up  from  the  ditch  on  the  outside  and 
formed  a  covered  way  inside.  The  parapet  was  surmounted  by 
a  head  log  12  to  20  inches  at  the  butt,  laid  along  the  interior  of 
the  crest,  and  rested  in  notches  cut  in  other  trunks,  which 
extended  to  the  rear,  forming  an  inclined  plane  in  event  of  the 
head  log  being  forced  inward  by  a  cannon  shot. 

The  troops  on  both  sides  became  very  exj>ert  in  this  sort  of 
field  constructions.  As  soon  as  the  command  got  into  position, 
if  the  enemy  were  near,  the  work  began.  In  a  single  night 
the  position  was  secured  against  reasonable  odds.  To  this 
extent  every  fighting  command  was  its  own  pioneer  corps. 
General  SHKRMAX  improved  on  this  system  by  organi/.ing  in 
each  division  a  pioneer  corps  of  negroes  seeking  refuge  within 
his  lines,  whom  he  fed  and  paid  $10  a  month.  The  scheme 
acted  to  a  charm.  The  negroes,  backed  by  the  incentive  of 
hallelujahs  and  freedom,  grub  and  greenbacks,  made  good  use 
of  the  night  and  slept  as  chance  offered  during  the  day,  while 
S.  Doc.  320.  5-S-2 iS 


266  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

the  worn  and  tired  soldier  took  his  rest  as  he  could  at  night, 
and  was  ready,  fresh,  and  fierce  for  the  fray  during  the  day. 

On  June  19  the  enemy  fell  back  on  his  flanks,  which  effected 
still  greated  concentration  of  his  strength,  at  the  same  time 
covering  Marietta  and  the  railroad  behind  Kenesaw. 

THE    BATTLE    OF    KENESAW. 
[Jl'JiK  20-Jl :LY  2,  1864.] 

On  the  23d,  at  2  p.  in., a  spirited  brush  took  place  at  "Gulp 
House." 

After  a  consultation  with  his  army  commanders  the  General 
decided  to  make  no  change  of  plan,  but  to  boldly  attack  the 
fortified  lines  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  2yth,  at  9  a.  m. ,  the  troops  swung  to  the  assault.  The 
impact  was  furious.  McPherson  fought  desperately  up  the  face 
of  Lesser  Kenesaw,  but  could  not  reach  the  summit.  The 
assault  of  Thomas,  a  mile  to  the  right,  below  the  Dallas  road, 
carried  the  enemy's  parapet  only,  but  could  go  no  farther.  By 
1 1. 30  the  assault  was  halted.  It  was  unsuccessful  in  that  it 
had  not  succeeded  in  breaking  the  enemy's  line  at  either  point. 
But  the  men  of  both  armies  held  their  ground  within  a  few 
yards  of  each  other.  This  the}'  secured  by  trenches  of  their 
own,  which  sprung  up  as  if  my  magic. 

In  the  assault  McPherson  lost  500  and  Thomas  2,000  killed 
and  wounded.  But  the  vantage  of  a  foothold  in  the  very  teeth 
of  the  enemy,  according  to  the  humanities  of  war,  was  a  fair 
equivalent.  This  was  the  severest  struggle  the  armies  had  so 
far  encountered.  During  the  action  Schofield  was  also  busy, 
having  gained  a  strong  position  threatening  the  enemy's  line  of 
retreat.  SHERMAN  promptly  reenforced  this  advantage  with 
cavalry,  which  also  justified  a  further  movement  of  this  force 
to  Fulton,  10  miles  below  Marietta. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Skelcli.  267 

Orders  were  issued  and  the  column  actually  in  motion  for  the 
fresh  advance,  when  Johnston,  detecting  the  movement,  aban 
doned  Marietta  and  Kenesaw. 

SHERMAN  at  once  put  his  troops  in  hot  pursuit,  hoping  to 
overhaul  the  enemy  at  the  crossing  of  the  Chattahoochee,  but 
the  celerity  of  the  retreat  found  his  advance  appearing  in  sight 
as  the  enemy's  rear  disappeared  behind  a  line  of  powerful 
earthworks  known  as  Smyrna  camp  ground. 

This  feature  of  the  defensive  retrograde  of  the  enemy  was 
wholly  unexpected.  Every  energy  of  the  armies  was  strained 
in  pursuit,  in  full  confidence  of  catching  Johnston  in  the  act  of 
transit  from  the  north  to  the  south  side  of  that  important 
natural  obstacle. 

On  July  3  SHERMAN  rode  into  Marietta  as  the  enemy's  rear 
guard  made  its  exit. 

The  same  night  Thomas  ran  up  against  strong  intrench- 
ments  which  covered  the  retreating  force  at  Smyrna,  6  miles 
below  Marietta. 

A    REAL    FOURTH    OF   JULY    CELEBRATION. 

[1HA4.J 

It  was  part  of  the  plan  of  SHERMAN  to  celebrate  the  ' '  Fourth  ' ' 
by  keeping  the  enemy  interested  in  his  patriotic  demonstrations, 
while  McPherson  and  Schofield  were  getting  into  position. 
The  assault  on  Ruff's  station,  as  it  was  known,  was  made  on 
July  4  by  the  Sixteenth  Corps  when  it  attacked  Hood's  corps 
and  carried  that  line  of  intrenchment,  the  only  line  carried  by 
assault  during  the  campaign. 

At  night  Johnston  retreated  and  sheltered  his  troops  and 
trains  inside  of  his  formidable  tete-de-pont  at  the  Chattahoochee 
crossing,  as  it  afterwards  proved,  constructed  in  advance  by  his 


268  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

orders,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Chattahoochee,  covering  the 
railroad  crossing  and  his  pontoon  bridges.  It  was  apparently 
his  purpose  to  make  this  his  last  stand  in  defense  of  the  impor 
tant  strategic  city  of  Atlanta. 

This  defensive  construction  was  strong  and  well  manned. 
About  3  miles  out  from  the  river  the  main  road  forked,  the 
right  extending  along  the  railroad  and  the  left  to  Paice's  ferry, 
on  the  straight  way  to  Atlanta.  The  latter  route,  strangely 
enough,  was  without  defenses,  which  enabled  vSchofield  to  reach 
the  ferry  without  a  conflict. 

The  right-hand  road  was  covered  by  the  tete-de-pont,  which 
made  the  approach  of  Thomas  difficult  and  combative.  The 
first  supposition  of  SHERMAN  was  that  this  opposition  was  a 
ruse  to  gain  time  for  the  enemy  to  swing  his  troops  and  wagons 
across  the  stream,  but  upon  closer  inspection  he  discovered  that, 
by  abattis  and  redoubts,  presumably,  the  enemy  designed  to  con 
test  his  crossing.  From  an  escaped  negro  he  also  learned  about 
i  ,000  slaves  had  been  employed  on  these  constructions  for  a 
month  or  more,  and  their  front  extended  from  the  river  about 
i  mile  above  the  railroad  bridge  to  Turner's  ferry,  about  6 
miles  below. 

There  had  been  a  continuous  battle  from  June  10  to  July  3, 
when  Johnston,  despite  the  courage  of  his  men  and  the  skill  of 
his  formations,  was  again  forced  to  take  the  "back  track." 

The  losses  of  SHERMAN'S  armies  were:  Cumberland,  5,531; 
Tennessee,  1,834;  Ohio,  665;  total,  7,530;  the  proportion  of 
killed  being  about  24  per  cent.  The  enemy,  3,948  killed 
and  wounded — about  14  per  cent  killed — and  2,000  prisoners; 
total,  5,948;  or,  comparatively,  SHERMAN,  7,530;  Johnston, 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  269 

CAMPAIGN    GALLANTRY. 

During  the  operations  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Chattahoochee 
Garrard's  cavalry,  beyond  the  extreme  left  about  40  miles,  cap 
tured  Roswell,  a  town  of  cotton  and  woolen  factories.  The 
factories  were  committed  to  the  flames,  but  the  disposition  of 
the  dimity  heroines  of  the  Confederate  looms  was  a  mooted 
question. 

The  general,  a  gallant  man,  hit  it.  A  blare  of  bugles  sounded 
' '  Boots  and  saddles. ' '  A  regiment  of  bold  sabreurs  was  paraded. 
Each  trooper  took  a  pretty  maid  upon  an  improvised  saddle- 
blanket  pillion  and  so  rode  from  Roswell  to  Marietta.  As  the 
cavalcade  approached,  the  bands  struck  up  and  the  men  shouted 
to  "The  girl  I  have  behind  me." 

The  general,  thoughtful  of  their  safety,  sent  them  north  out 
of  harm's  way. 

At  Roswell  the  proprietor  of  the  mills  flew  the  French  flag, 
which  interrupted  General  Dodge  in  his  hurried  labors  on  the 
bridge.  Writing  to  General  SHKRMAN  setting  forth  a  few 
points  of  possible  international  consequences,  SHKKMAN  replied 
(July  ii):  "The  bridge  is  important.  You  may  destroy  all 
Georgia  to  make  it  good  and  strong."  This  bridge  was  one  of 
the  most  remarkable  feats  of  the  war.  In  two  and  one-half 
days  a  double-track  trestle  road  bridge  710  feet  long  and  14 
feet  high  was  constructed  and  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee 
crossing. 

SHKRMAN,  having  driven  the  enemy  behind  these  works,  held 
the  river  above  for  i.S  miles  to  Roswell  and  10  miles  l>elow  to 
the  mouth  of  the  Sweetwater.  He  also  occupied  high  ground 
overlooking  the  enemy's  intrenched  position  and  movements. 
The  conditions  in  this  respect  were  the  reverse  of  Kenesaw. 


270  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

CROSSING  THE  CHATTAHOOCHEE — APPROACHING  ATLANTA. 

[JULY  12-17,  1864.] 

From  the  hill  back  of  Vinings  Station  the  general  could  dis 
tinguish  in  faint  outline  the  spires  and  even  less  conspicuous 
habitations  of  Atlanta,  9  miles  off,  and  detect  every  movement 
in  the  intervening  valley  of  the  Chattahoochee. 

The  activity  of  the  enemy  and  the  sight  of  extensive  camps, 
train  packs,  and  cavalry  moving  hither  and  thither  led  to  an 
assumption  that  Johnston  had  transferred  his  main  army  south 
of  the  river,  leaving  a  corps  to  cover  the  bridges  and  set  up  a 
show  of  opposition.  Developments  revealed  that  the  cavalry 
and  trains  only  had  moved  over  and  the  main  army  was  really 
confronting  Howard  at  Paices  Ferry  and  Thomas  at  the  t£te- 
de-pont. 

The  position  of  the  enemy  thus  disposed  on  the  north  bank 
was  strategically  weak  in  the  fact  that  SHERMAN,  in  control  of 
the  crossings  above  and  below,  could  threaten  his  entire  rear, 
or  even  Atlanta,  the  retention  of  which  was  of  incalculable 
importance,  not  only  to  the  very  existence  of  the  opposing 
army,  but  to  what  little  was  left  of  the  prestige  of  the  Confed 
eracy. 

In  his  withdrawal  from  Kenesaw,  Johnston  left  two  breaks  in 
the  railroad,  one  above  Marietta  and  the  other  near  Vinings 
Station.  Both  were  now  restored,  and  a  field  wire  was  in  touch 
with  his  bivouac. 

In  this  favorable  situation  of  affairs  the  troops  were  posted  in 
order  of  battle,  away  from  the  river,  with  a  display  of  pickets 
and  a  few  batteries  at  random  for  effect.  From  his  left  rear 
in  a  single  move  SHERMAN  could  reach  the  Chattahoochee 
above  the  railroad  bridge,  \vhere  there  was  a  ford,  besides  pon 
toons  available  for  four  bridges.  Owing,  however,  to  the 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  271 

regular  crossings  being  covered  by  forts  of  long  construction, 
it  was  determined  to  manoeuver  instead  of  making  a  frontal 
attack. 

It  was  now  in  the  General's  power  to  strike  Atlanta  or  any 
of  its  forts  direct,  or  by  a  circuit  destroy  the  railroads  in  John 
ston's  rear.  The  weather  was  intensely  hot,  but  the  country 
high  and  healthy. 

In  prosecution  of  the  strategy  of  the  moment  the  cavalry 
were  specially  active  on  the  right,  apparently  searching  the  river 
below  Turners  Ferry.  McPherson  was  in  position  near  that 
ferry.  Thomas  held  the  front  of  the  enemy's  work  in  forma 
tion  on  the  left  in  echelon,  to  Paices  Kerry.  The  Sixteenth 
Corps  and  the  cavalry  were  at  Roswell. 

The  theory  of  the  movement  was  to  feign  on  the  right  and 
move  on  the  left.  The  Roswell  crossing  was  in  hand,  but  too 
distant  to  effectively  support  a  frontal  attack.  During  his 
maneuvers  Schofield  located  what  was  needed  at  the  mouth  of 
vSoaps  Creek,  whereupon,  under  orders,  crossing,  he  entrenched 
on  the  east  bank. 

A    CAVALRY    DIVERSION. 
II  I  \.    1*64.] 

During  these  movements  in  the  main  arena  Rousseau,  at 
Nashville,  received  orders  to  collect  approximately  2,000  cav 
alry  from  the  garrisons  of  Tennessee,  rende7,vous  them  at 
Decatur,  Ala.,  and  thence  by  rapid  marches  strike  Opelika,  at 
which  point  sever  the  railroad  links  between  Georgia  and  Ala 
bama  and  thence  join  the  main  army  about  Atlanta,  and  if  forced 
by  circumstances,  continue  to  Pensacola  or  strike  for  some  gar 
risoned  post  on  the  Mississippi.  Rousseau,  at  his  own  request, 
was  placed  in  command.  He  moved  with  laudable  expedition, 
on  July  9  crossing  the  Coosa  l>elow  Ten  Islands,  thence  the 


272  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

Tallapoosa  below  Horseshoe  Bend,  passing  through  Talladega, 
striking  the  railroad  west  of  Opelika,  destroying  20  miles  of 
track,  thence  turning  north,  reaching  Marietta  and  reporting 
to  SHERMAN  before  Atlanta  within  thirteen  days  of  leaving 
Decatur.  His  loss  on  the  expedition  was  but  12  killed  and  30 
wounded.  He  brought  in  with  him  400  captured  mules,  300 
horses,  and,  as  SHERMAN  tells  us,  a  good  story. 

As  for  the  story.  One  day  on  the  march  Rousseau  halted  at 
the  inviting  home  of  a  planter  and  was  met  most  affably  by  the 
host.  During  the  conversation  the  vigilant  eye  of  the  trooper 
espied  a  corral  of  fine  mules. 

"  My  good  sir,"  said  the  trooper,  "  I  fear  I  must  take  some 
of  your  mules." 

"I  contributed  most  generously,"  said  the  planter,  "to  the 
good  cause  only  a  week  ago,  giving  General  Roddy  ten  of  the 
best." 

"Well,"  said  the  trooper,  "in  this  war  you  should  at  least 
1>e  neutral,  or  at  all  events  as  liberal  to  us  as  to  Roddy." 

"Arn't  you  on  our  side?"  rejoined  the  planter. 

"Oh,  no;  I  am  General  Rousseau.  All  these  men  you  see 
around  are  Yanks." 

"Great  God,  sir,  Yanks!  Who'd  areckoned  they'd  ever 
come  down  here  to  bother  us,"  sighed  the  overhasty  planter. 

The  clouds  of  dust  which  envelope  a  column  of  cavalry  on  a 
dry,  midsummer  day  had  so  completely  hidden  the  "blue" 
that  the  host  assumed  his  unbidden  guest  to  be  of  the  "gray." 

An  equal  number  of  mules  accompanied  the  Yankee  raiders 
within  the  lines  of  the  army  pressing  Johnston  on  the  road  to 
Atlanta. 

Schofield  was  across  with  his  army  and  entrenched,  with  two 
pontoons  finished  and  prepared  to  resist  assault  by  the  entire 
strength  of  the  enemy. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  273 

The  same  day  Garrard's  cavalry  takes  the  advance  from 
Roswell,  driving  in  the  pickets  and  holding  his  ground  until 
temporarily  relieved  by  the  Sixteenth  Corps,  followed  by  the 
\vhole  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 

That  night  Johnston  decamped,  leaving  his  well-laid  plans 
and  untenable  trenches.  As  he  left  the  Chattahoochee  he 
burned  the  railroad  bridge,  his  pontoons,  and  trestles.  SHER 
MAN  was  now  in  control  of  both  banks.  Johnston  here  lost 
his  opportunity  in  making  no  strike  while  SHERMAN  was 
deliberately  and  surely  weaving  his  strategic  web. 

On  the  far  side  of  the  Chattahoochee,  hopelessly  away  from 
his  original  base  and  in  sight  of  Atlanta,  SHERMAN  resolved  on 
the  utmost  caution  in  all  his  movements,  tactical  or  strategic, 
and  so  advised  his  army  commanders.  Thomas  held  the  right, 
Schofield  the  center,  and  McPherson  the  left.  A  large  quantity 
of  stores  had  been  assembled  at  Allatoona  and  Marietta.  Both 
posts  were  well  fortified  and  manned. 

The  General  spent  from  July  6  until  he  was  ready  to  move  en 
the  1 7th  in  strengthening  his  posts,  crossing  the  Chattahoochee, 
and  rearranging  his  garrisons  in  the  rear.  As  long  as  the  army 
in  his  front  had  its  hands  full  there  was  no  occasion  for 
anxiety  in  the  rear.  In  event  of  any  let-up  in  aggressive  oper 
ations,  detached  parties  let  loose  might  be  expected  to  play 
havoc  with  his  communications. 

ATLANTA    NEXT. 

On  July  17  the  direct  movement  against  Atlanta,  the  object 
ive  of  the  campaign  in  its  entirety,  l>egan.  After  crossing  the 
Chattahoochee  on  pontoons  Schofield  moved  to  Cross  Keys  and 
McPherson  to  Lone  Mountain,  neither  meeting  with  opposition 
except  from  cavalry. 

On  the   1 8th,  the  army  swinging  on  a  right  wheel,  Thomas 


274  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

advanced  to  Buckhead,  his  line  of  battle  facing  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  Schofield  on  his  left,  and  McPherson  toward  the  rail 
road,  between  Lone  Mountain  and  Decatur. 

At  2  p.  in.  the  latter  had  reached  a  point  4  miles  from  Stone 
Mountain,  7  miles  east  of  Decatur.  Thence  he  turned  toward 
Atlanta,  destroying  the  railroad,  and  reached  Decatur  the  same 
night,  where  he  came  in  communication  with  Schofield. 

BEFORE    ATLANTA. 

On  the  morning  of  the  i8th,  through  his  spies,  the  General 
was  apprised  of  the  relief  of  General  Johnston  the  day  before 
by  General  Hood,  in  command  of  the  Confederate  army  in  front 
of  Atlanta.  General  Schofield,  who  was  a  classmate  at  West 
Point,  spoke  of  Hood  as  "bold  even  to  rashness,  and  coura 
geous  in  the  extreme."  To  this  SHERMAN  added,  "Then  the 
change  means  fight;  so  I  wish  to  have  it.  We'll  settle  it  here." 

The  entire  army  was  notified.  Division  commanders  were 
directed  to  be  at  all  times  prepared  for  battle.  The  enemy,  with 
Atlanta  at  his  back,  had  the  advantage  of  choosing  the  time  and 
place  of  attack;  also,  working  on  inner  lines,  was  able  to  mass  a 
superior  force  against  the  weakest  points. 

On  the  igth  all  the  armies  were  moved  on  converging  routes 
upon  Atlanta,  McPherson  astride  the  railroad  near  Decatur, 
Schofield  along  a  road  leading  direct  to  the  city,  and  Thomas 
across  Peach  Tree  Creek,  in  order  of  battle,  building  bridges 
for  each  division  as  he  deployed.  This  left  a  gap  between 
Thomas  and  Schofield,  which  was  closed  by  bringing  part  of 
Howard's  corps  nearer  Schofield. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  275 

COMBATS  OK  PEACH  TREE  CREEK. 

II   M     I1'   -.'I.    I-., I. 

On  the  2oth  the  enemy  unexpectedly  poured  out  of  his 
trenches  on  the  Peach  Tree  line,  which  Johnston  had  prepared 
as  the  point  of  battle  outside  of  Atlanta.  The  impact  fell  upon 
SHERMAN'S  right,  commanded  by  General  Thomas  (the 
Twentieth  and  parts  of  the  Fourth  and  Fourteenth  Corps). 
The  opposing  lines  were  soon  at  close  quarters,  at  many  points 
hand  to  hand.  Thomas,  who  was  on  the  spot,  by  ordering  up 
his  field  batteries  at  a  gallop  to  position  on  the  north  side  of 
Peach  Tree  Creek,  opened  an  enfilading  fire  on  the  exposed 
flank.  After  several  hours  of  this  crucial  test  of  the  staying 
powers  of  the  combatants  the  enemy  drew  off,  leaving  400  dead 
on  the  ground.  The  wounded,  abandoned  or  carried  off,  were 
estimated  at  4,000. 

The  losses  of  the  Fourth  and  Fourteenth  Corps  were  light, 
being  covered  by  slight  parapets.  The  brunt  of  the  sally 
having  fallen  upon  the  Twentieth  (Hooker),  that  corps  lost 
1,500. 

The  failure  of  the  attack  was  not  only  a  great  defeat  to 
Hood's  army,  but  resulted  in  a  great  derangement  of  his  plans. 

This  experience  at  once  changed  the  character  of  the  methods 
by  which  SHERMAN  proposed  to  handle  his  vigorous  antagonist. 

On  the  evening  of  the  2ist  of  July  he  closed  up  to  within  2 
miles  of  Atlanta,  and  on  that  day  Force's  brigade  of  Leggett's 
division  of  Blair's  ( Seventeenth  )  army  corps  carried  a  prominent 
hill,  known  as  Bald  or  Leggett's  Hill,  which  gave  a  view  of 
Atlanta,  and  placed  the  city  within  range  of  his  guns. 

The  houses  inside  of  Atlanta  were  in  plain  sight,  yet  l>et\veen 
himself  and  this  goal  of  his  wonderful  campaign  lay  parapets 


276  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

with  ditches,  fraise,  cheveaux  de  frise,  abattis,  and  a  powerful 
enemy. 

A  strategic  point  had  been  gained,  and  unless  the  swing  of 
SHERMAN'S  left  was  stopped  it  would  dangerously  interfere  with 
Hood's  communications  toward  the  south.  Hood  fully 
appreciated  this,  and  determined  upon  his  celebrated  attack  in 
the  rear  of  General  SHERMAN'S  army. 

CLOSING    UP. 

It  was  SHERMAN'S  purpose  to  destroy  all  the  railroads  east 
of  Atlanta,  and  then  withdraw  quickly  from  the  right  flank  and 
add  to  the  left. 

In  execution  of  this  programme  McPherson  received  orders 
not  to  extend  any  farther  to  the  left.  Dodge,  having  been 
crowded  out  of  position,  was  ordered  to  destroy  the  railroad 
from  Decatur  up  to  his  skirmish  line. 

Before  these  tactical  arrangements  were  fully  carried  out 
Hood  abandoned  his  Peachtree  line  on  Schofield's  and 
Thomas's  front  and  fell  back  to  the  intrenchments  proper  of 
Atlanta,  which  bore  a  radius  of  a  half  mile.  SHERMAN,  pressing 
ahead  proportionately,  brought  his  lines  so  close  up  to  Atlanta 
that  his  skirmishers  were  in  touch  with  the  enemy.  Schofield 
kept  pressing  forward  and  Thomas  could  be  heard  banging 
away  farther  to  the  right. 

THE    BATTLE    OF    ATLANTA." 

During    the    morning    of   July   22    certain    movements  were 
made  with  a  view  to  completing  the  formation  before  Atlanta. 
General  McPherson  gave  verbal  orders  to  General  Dodge  in 


(i  The  tactical  movements  of  the  battle  of  Atlanta  (July  22,  1864)  are  taken  from 
the  comprehensive  and  carefully  prepared  paper  of  Maj.  Gen.'Grenville  M.  Dodge, 
read  before  the  New  York  Commandery  of  the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion; 
also  letter  to  Gen.  Green  B.  Raum,  October  20,  1902. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  277 

relation  to  the  Second  Division  of  his  corps  (Sixteenth),  which 
had  been  crowded  out  as  the  forces  of  SHKKMAN  neared 
Atlanta,  directing  him  to  take  position  on  the  left  of  the  line 
which  Blair  had  been  instructed  to  occupy  and  intrench  that 
morning.  McPherson  cautioned  Dodge  to  make  a  strong  pro 
tection  of  his  flank,  and  rode  out  to  examine  it  himself, 
evidently  anticipating  trouble  in  that  direction. 

These  movements  having  lx?en  executed  at  midday,  July  22, 
the  position  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  was:  One  division  of 
the  Fifteenth  Corps  across  and  north  of  the  Augusta  Railway 
facing  Atlanta,  the  balance  of  the  Fifteenth  and  all  of  the 
Seventeenth  Corps  behind  intrenchments  running  south  of  the 
railway  along  a  ridge,  with  a  gentle  slope  and  clear  valley  facing 
Atlanta  in  front  and  another  clear  valley  in  the  rear.  The 
Sixteenth  Corps  was  resting  on  the  road,  entirely  in  the  rear  of 
the  Seventeenth  and  Fifteenth  Corps  and  facing  from  Atlanta. 
To  the  left  and  left  rear  the  country  was  heavily  wooded.  The 
enemy,  therefore,  was  enabled,  under  cover  of  the  forest,  to 
approach  close  to  the  rear  of  our  lines. 

On  the  night  of  July  21  Hood  had  transferred  Hardee's 
corps  and  two  divisions  of  Wheeler's  cavalry  to  our  rear,  going 
around  our  left  flank,  Wheeler  attacking  Sprague's  brigade,  Six 
teenth  Army  Corps,  at  Decatur,  where  our  trains  were  parked. 
At  daylight  Stewart's  and  Cheatham's  corps  and  the  Georgia 
militia  were  withdrawn  closer  to  Atlanta  and  in  a  jx>sition  to 
attack  simultaneously  with  Hardee,  the  plan  thus  involving  the 
destroying  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  by  attacking  it  in  rear 
and  front  and  the  capturing  of  all  its  trains  corralled  at  Decatur. 
Hardee's  was  the  largest  corps  in  Hood's  army  and  according 
to  Hood  there  were  thus  to  move  upon  the  Army  of  the  Ten 
nessee  about  40,000  troops. 

The  battle  began  within  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  of  12  o'clock 


278  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

noon  and  lasted  until  midnight.  It  covered  the  ground  from 
the  Howard  House,  along  the  entire  front  of  the  Fifteenth 
(Logan's)  Corps,  the  Seventeenth  (Blair's),  and  on  the  front 
of  the  Sixteenth,  which  was  formed  in  the  rear  of  the  army, 
and  on  to  Decatur,  where  Sprague's  brigade  of  the  Sixteenth 
Army  Corps  met  and  defeated  Wheeler's  cavalry — a  distance 
of  about  7  miles. 

With  this  view  of  the  general  features  of  the  conflict,  the 
severity  and  conditions  of  the  impact  of  the  two  fighting  forces 
may  be  better  understood  by  adding  a  few  details. 

As  the  battle  opened,  from  his  position  with  his  corps 
(Sixteenth)  General  Dodge  could  see  the  enemy's  entire  front 
emerge  from  the  opposite  wood,  overlapping  both  of  his  flanks. 

General  McPherson,  in  general  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee,  being  2  miles  away  at  the  moment,  General  Dodge 
hurried  an  officer  of  his  staff  to  Gen.  G.  A.  Smith,  requesting 
him  to  refuse  his  left  and  protect  the  gap  between  the  Seven 
teenth  Corps  and  the  right  of  the  Sixteenth,  to  which  he  received 
a  reply  he  would  comply.  As  the  battle  progressed,  seeing 
no  movement  as  proposed,  Dodge  reiterated  his  request, 
adding  the  enemy  was  passing  his  right  flank,  which  was 
nearly  opposite  Smith's  center,  urging  him  to  refuse  his  left 
immediately  or  he  would  be  cut  off.  Upon  reaching  Smith  this 
second  officer  found  him  just  becoming  engaged,  having  received 
orders  to  hold  his  line — that  other  troops  would  be  thrown 
into  the  gap. 

As  the  later  messenger  was  returning  he  met  McPherson 
with  but  few  attendants  and  warned  him  that  the  enemy  held 
the  woods  and  was  advancing.  Without  heeding  this  caution 
McPherson  rode  on,  followed  by  Dodge's  aid.  Proceeding  but 
a  short  distance  they  were  commanded  to  halt.  McPherson 
and  party,  wheeling  their  horses,  were  followed  by  a  heavy 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  279 

volley.  McPherson  fell,  and  the  horses,  becoming  unmanage 
able,  plunged  into  the  underbrush.  Dodge's  aid  was  knocked 
insensible  by  coming  in  contact  with  a  tree.  Upon  recovering 
from  the  blow  he  returned  afoot  to  his  chief.  His  watch,  hav 
ing  stopped  from  the  shock  at  2  p.  m.,  fixed  the  hour  of  McPher 
son 's  death. 

McPherson  "had  witnessed  the  decisive  grapple  of  the  Six 
teenth  Corps  with  the  charging  columns  of  the  enemy,  massed 
three  or  four  lines  deep,  moving  out  of  the  timber  several  hun 
dred  yards  from  Dodge's  position. 

This  force  halted  upon  gaining  the  open  field  and  opened  a 
rapid  and  well-directed  fire  on  the  Sixteenth. 

The  enemy  was  evidently  surprised  to  encounter  this  opposi 
tion  in  line  of  battle,  "prepared  for  attack.  The  Sixteenth 
returned  the  fire  from  the  divisions  of  Fuller  and  Sweeney, 
which  hurled  them  back  in  disorder  under  cover  of  the  woods. 

The  enemy's  lines  were  quickly  re-formed,  and  again  moved 
up  to  the  attack  with  an  evident  determination  to  carry  the 
position.  Their  artillery,  in  the  woods  on  higher  ground, 
hurled  shot  and  shell  into  the  ranks  of  the  Sixteenth. 

This  advance  was  met  with  a  deadly  fire  from  Fuller  and 
Sweeney,  a  portion  of  Fuller's  brigade  changing  front  to  meet 
it,  and  the  guns  of  the  Fourteenth  Ohio  and  Walker's  batteries 
of  the  Sixteenth.  Notwithstanding  the  swaths  cut  in  his  lines, 
the  enemy  moved  forward  with  great  steadiness,  closing  up  and 
preserving  his  alignment  until  near  the  center  of  the  field,  when 
the  men  broke  in  great  confusion.  Dodge,  with  parts  of  his 
own  forces,  taking  advantage  of  the  opportunity,  made  a  bayo 
net  charge,  driving  the  enemy  into  the  wmxls,  capturing 
many  prisoners.  Upon  the  persons  of  some  of  these  prisoners 
were  found  McPherson's  papers,  field  glass,  etc.,  which  con 
veyed  the  first  knowledge  of  his  death.  Seeing  that  the  papers 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 19 


280  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

were  important,  Dodge  sent  them  by  his  chief  of  staff,  with  all 
haste,  to  General  SHERMAN. 

General  Strong,  the  only  staff  officer  with  McPherson  at  the 
critical  moment  of  this  assault,  afterwards  spoke  of  McPherson' s 
admiration  of  the  coolness  and  determination  of  the  Sixteenth 
and  his  confidence  in  Dodge  being  able  to  maintain  himself 
until  the  movements  on  the  other  parts  of  the  field  were  equally 
successful. 

As  Hardee's  attack  fell  upon  the  Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  his 
left  division  (Cleburn's)  lapped  over  and  beyond  Blair's  left 
and  swung  around  his  left  front,  pouring  down  through  the  gap 
between  the  left  of  the  Seventeenth  and  the  right  of  the  Six 
teenth  Corps,  taking  Blair  in  front,  flank,  and  rear.  Cheatham's 
corps  moved  out  of  Atlanta  and  attacked  in  Blair's  front.  Gen. 
Giles  A.  Smith  commanded  Blair's  left  division  his  right  con 
necting  with  Leggett  at  Bald  Hill,  where  L,eggett's  division 
held  the  line  until  they  connected  with  the  Fifteenth  Corps, 
and  along  this  front  the  battle  raged  with  great  fury. 

As  Cleburn  advanced  along  the  open  space  between  the  Six 
teenth  and  Seventeenth  Corps  he  cut  off  from  Blair's  left  and 
captured  a  portion  of  two  regiments  of  his  command,  forcing 
the  Seventeenth  Corps  to  form  new  lines,  utilizing  the  old 
intrenchments  thrown  up  by  the  enemy,  fighting  first  on  one 
side  and  then  on  the  other,  as  the  attack  would  come  from 
Hardee  in  the  rear  or  Cheatham  in  the  front,  until  about  3.30 
p.  m.  when,  after  a  lull,  an  extraordinary  effort  was  made  by 
the  enemy  to  wipe  out  Giles  A.  Smith's  division  and  capture 
L,eggett's  hill,  the  enemy  approaching  under  cover  of  the  woods 
until  within '50  yards  of  Smith's  temporary  position,  when  he 
pressed  forward  until  the  fight  became  a  hand-to-hand  conflict 
across  the  trenches  occupied  by  Smith,  the  troops  using  bayonet 
freely  and  the  officers  their  swords.  This  attack  failed;  it  was 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  281 

no  doubt  timed  to  occur  at  the  same  time  that  Cheatham's 
corps  attacked  from  the  Atlanta  front,  which  Leggett  met. 
The  brunt  of  Cheatham's  attack  was  against  Leggett's  hill,  the 
key  to  the  position  of  that  portion  of  the  Army  of  the  Ten 
nessee.  Gen.  Giles  A.  Smith's  division  had  to  give  up  the 
works  they  occupied  and  fall  into  line  at  right  angles  with  Leg- 
gett's  division,  Leggett's  hill  l>eing  the  apex  of  the  formation; 
and  here,  for  three-quarters  of  an  hour,  more  desperate  fighting 
was  done  around  this  position  than  can  be  described,  t'p  to 
midnight  the  enemy  occupied  one  side  of  the  works  while  we 
occupied  the  other,  neither  side  giving  way  until  Hood  saw 
that  the  whole  attack  was  a  failure,  when  those  of  the  enemy 
who  were  on  the  outside  of  the  works  finally  surrendered. 
Their  attack  at  this  angle  was  determined  and  resolute,  advanc 
ing  up  to  our  breastworks  on  the  crest  of  the  hill,  planting  their 
flag  side  by  side  with  ours,  and  fighting  hand  to  hand  until  it 
grew  so  dark  that  nothing  could  be  seen  but  the  flash  of  the 
guns  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  works.  The  ground  covered 
by  these  attacks  was  literally  strewn  with  the  dead  of  both  sides. 
The  loss  of  Blair's  corps  was  1,801  killed,  wounded,  and  missing. 
Blair's  left  struck  in  the  rear  flank,  and  front  gave  \vay  slowly, 
gradually,  fighting  for  every  inch  of  ground  until  their  left 
was  opposite  the  right  flank  of  the  vSixteenth  Corps,  where  they 
halted  and  held  the  enemy,  refusing  to  give  another  inch. 

The  Sixteenth  Corps  met  the  shock  of  battle  with  two  small 
divisions  of  three  brigades  each,  against  three  times  their  num 
ber,  and  fired  the  last  gun  late  at  night,  when  the  enemy  stub 
bornly  yielded  his  grasp  on  Bald  Hill.  It  fought  on  four  parts 
of  the  field  with  equal  success,  lost  no  gun  which  it  took  into 
action.  Its  losses  were  in  killed  and  wounded.  The  few  miss 
ing  were  captured  at  Uecatur,  where  they  l>ecame  mired  in  a 
swamp. 


282  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

Sprague's  brigade,  of  the  same  corps,  on  another  field,  at 
Decatur,  within  hearing,  fought  with  great  obstinacy  until  it 
gained  a  position  from  which  it  could  not  be  driven,  thus 
saving  the  entire  trains  of  the  army. 

The  annals  of  war  afford  no  parallel  to  the  fighting  of  the 
Seventeenth  Corps,  first  from  one  side  and  then  from  the 
other  of  its  works.  So  close  were  the  opposing  lines  that 
Belknap,  of  the  Seventeenth,  seizing  a  colonel  of  an  Alabama 
regiment,  drew  him  over  the  breastworks,  taking  him  prisoner. 

At  4  p.  m.  Cheatham's  Corps  of  the  enemy  renewed  the 
attack  on  the  front  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps,  advancing  in  solid 
masses,  which  was  repelled,  until  the  enemy,  under  cover  of  a 
deep  cut  in  the  railway,  slipped  through  the  rear  of  that  corps, 
thus  passing  the  intrenchments  of  the  Fifteenth,  forcing  it 
back  to  the  line  of  works  in  the  rear  of  the  position  from  which 
it  had  moved  in  the  morning. 

At  the  request  of  General  L,ogan,  now  in  command  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee,  General  Dodge  moved  a  brigade  of  the 
Sixteenth,  although  many  of  the  men  had  ended  their  enlist 
ment,  to  the  relief  of  the  Fifteenth,  which  resulted  in  a  general 
charge  and  recapture  of  the  intrenchments  and  guns.  The 
continuous  attacks  of  the  enemy,  reaching  within  100  feet  of 
our  lines,  made  no  impression,  until  finally  the  enemy  refused 
to  move  forward  on  account  of  the  deadly  fire,  one-half  of  their 
number  having  been  killed,  wounded,  or  captured. 

At  dark  the  enemy  retired  discomfited  at  all  points  except 
around  the  angle  in  the  Seventeenth  Corps,  known  as  L,eggett's 
or  Bald  Hill.  Here  there  was  a  continuous  fire  and  at  close 
quarters,  the  enemy  in  places  occupying  ground  close  up  to  our 
intrenchments.  To  relieve  the  men  of  the  Seventeenth  Corps 
holding  this  angle,  who  were  worn  out,  at  the  request  of 
General  Blair,  General  Dodge  sent  two  regiments  of  Mercer's 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  283 

brigade,  whose  men  crawled  in  on  their  hands  and  knees,  and 
swept  the  enemy  from  that  front. 

The  Army  of  the  Tennessee  had  present  on  that  day  at 
Atlanta  and  Decatur  alxnit  26,000  men — 10,000  in  the  Fifteenth 
Army  Corps,  9,000  in  the  Sixteenth  Corps,  and  7,000  in  the 
Seventeenth.  Alxnit  21,000  of  these  were  in  line  of  battle. 
Three  brigades  of  the  Sixteenth  Corps  were  absent,  the  Six 
teenth  Corps  having  5,000  men  in  a  single  line  which  received 
the  attack  of  the  three  divisions  of  Hardee's  corps,  Hardee's 
left,  Cleburn's  division  lapping  the  extreme  left  of  Blair  and 
joining  Cheatham's  corps,  which  attacked  Blair  from  the 
Atlanta  front,  and  according  to  Hood  they  were  joined  by  the 
Georgia  militia  under  General  Smith,  extending  down  the  line 
in  front  of  the  Army  of  Ohio  and  Cumberland.  Stewart's 
corps  occupied  the  works  and  held  the  lines  in  front  of  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland.  The  Sixteenth  Army  Corps  fought 
in  the  open  ground;  the  Fifteenth  and  Seventeenth  behind 
intrenchments. 

The  whole  of  Hood's  army,  except  .Stewart's  corps,  thrown 
into  our  rear  upon  the  flank  and  the  front  of  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee,  after  fighting  from  midday  until  dark  was  repulsed 
and  driven  back  from  the  entire  battlefield,  demonstrating  that 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  alone  was  able  and  competent  to 
meet  and  defeat  Hood's  entire  strength.  The  battle  fell  almost 
entirely  upon  the  Sixteenth  and  Seventeenth  Corps  and  two 
divisions  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps,  three  brigades  of  the  Six 
teenth  Ixeing  absent.  The  attack  of  the  enemy  was  made 
along  this  line  seven  times  and  was  seven  times  repulsed. 

The  Army  of  the  Tennessee  captured  18  stands  of  colors, 
5,000  stands  of  arms,  2,017  prisoners.  It  lost  in  killed  and 
wounded  3,521  men,  10  pieces  of  artillery,  and  over  1,800  men, 
mostly  from  Blair's  corps,  taken  prisoners.  The  enemy's  dead 


284  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

reported  buried  in  front  of  the  different  corps  was  over  2,000 
and  the  enemy's  total  loss  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners, 

8,000. 

ONE    OF    THE    DECISIVE    BATTLES    OF   THE    CIVIL   WAR. 

The  battle  of  Atlanta  will  rank  with  the  great  conflicts  of 
arms  of  the  civil  war.  It  will  stand  with  Gettysburg  for  the 
valor  and  resolution  displayed  by  both  armies  and  the  decisive 
results  of  victory  for  the  Union  cause.  Had  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  failed,  the  enemy  would  have  had  Pennsylvania  and 
the  North  at  his  mercy.  Had  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee 
failed,  notwithstanding  the  presence  of  the  Armies  of  the  Cum 
berland  and  Ohio,  there  might  have  followed  tactical  complica 
tion  which  would  have  tested  the  military  genius  of  SHERMAN 
to  the  utmost. 

General  Dodge  held  the  key  to  the  position.  Had  his  men 
(the  Sixteenth  Corps)  given  way,  the  enemy  would  have  been 
in  the  rear  of  the  Seventeenth  and  Fifteenth  Corps  and  would 
have  swept  over  the  supply  trains. 

The  position  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  would  have  been 
perilous  in  the  extreme,  and  the  Armies  of  the  Cumberland  and 
Ohio  would  have  had  a  test  of  metal  further  on. 

There  has  been  some  criticism  of  General  SHERMAN  respect 
ing  the  battle  of  Atlanta  from  the  fact  that  two  armies,  of  the 
Ohio,  about  two-thirds  of  the  strength  of  that  of  the  Tennessee 
and  of  the  Cumberland,  the  largest  of  the  three  composing  the 
military  division,  were  not  engaged.  The  answer  by  General 
Dodge,  who  bore  the  brunt  of  the  onset  and  was  desperately 
engaged  throughout  the  entire  conflict,  is: 

General  SHERMAN  urged  Thomas  to  make  the  attack.  Thomas's  answer 
was  that  the  enemy  were  in  full  force  behind  his  intrenchments.  The 
fact  was  Stewart's  corps  was  guarding  that  front.  General  Schofield 
urged  SHERMAN  to  allow  him  to  throw  his  army  upon  Cheatham's  flank, 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  285 

and  endeavor  to  roll  up  the  Confederate  line,  anil  so  interpose  between 
Atlanta  and  Cheatham's  corps,  which  was  so  persistently  attacking  the 
Fifteenth  and  Seventeenth  Corps  from  the  Atlanta  front.  SHKRMAN, 
whose  anxiety  had  been  very  great,  seeing  how  successfully  we  were 
meeting  the  attack,  his  face  relaxing  into  a  pleasant  smile,  said  to  Scho- 
field,  "  Let  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  fight  it  out  this  time."  This  flank 
attack  of  Schofield  on  Cheatham  would  have  no  doubt  cleared  our  front 
facing  Atlanta  intrenchments,  but  Stewart  was  read}'  with  his  three 
divisions  and  the  militia  to  hold  the  Atlanta  intrenchments. 

General  SHKRMAN,  in  speaking  of  this  battle,  always  regretted  that  he 
did  not  allow  Schofield  to  attack  as  he  suggested  and  also  force  the  fight 
ing  on  Thomas's  front,  but  no  doubt  the  loss  of  McPherson  took  his  atten 
tion  from  everything  except  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 

On  the  night  of  the  220!,  about  10  o'clock,  at  a  conference  of 
the  corps  commanders  (one  of  them  in  command  of  the  Army) 
of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  on  the  results  of  the  day  it  was 
concluded  that  the  Armies  of  the  Cumberland  and  Ohio,  which 
had  not  l>een  in  the  fight,  should  send  a  force  to  relieve  Blair, 
when  one  of  their  numl>er  was  requested  to  present  the  matter 
to  the  commanding  general. 

When  he  reached  SHERMAN,  who  was  somewhat  surprised, 
the  General,  after  speaking  of  the  loss  of  McPherson,  listened  to 
what  his  caller  had  to  say,  and,  turning  vehemently,  observed: 

"Dodge,  you  whipped  them  to-day,  didn't  you?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Can't  you  do  it  again  to-morrow?" 

"Yes,  sir,"  said  the  messenger,  bade  him  good  night, 
and  went  back  to  his  command,  determined  never  to  go 
upon  another  such  errand.  As  General  SHERMAN  explained 
afterwards,  he  wanted  it  said  that  the  Army  of  the  Ten 
nessee  had  fought  the  great  battle  that  day  needing  no  help, 
no  aid,  and  that  it  could  be  said  that  all  alone  it  had  whipped 
the  whole  of  Hood's  army.  Therefore  he  let  them  hold  their 
position  and  their  line,  knowing  that  Hood  would  not  dare  to 
attack  after  the  "thrashing"  he  had  already  received. 


286  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

In  this,  the  greatest  battle  of  the  campaign,  the  little  Army 
of  the  Tennessee  met  the  entire  Confederate  army,  secretly 
thrust  to  its  rear,  on  its  flank,  and  upon  its  advance  center. 
Its  idolized  commander  was  killed  in  the  first  shock  of  battle. 
Nightfall  found  the  enemy's  dead  and  wounded  on  its  front, 
showing  that  no  disaster,  no  temporary  rebuff,  could  discourage 
this  arm)'.  Every  man  stood  at  his  post;  every  man  did  a 
hero's  duty.  They  might  be  destroyed,  but  never  made  to 
run.  They  were  invincible. 

OPERATIONS    AROUND    AND   SIEGE    OF   ATLANTA. 
[JULY  22-SEI'TKMBKK  2,  1S«4.] 

The  general  in  chief  now  grouped  his  command,  proposing 
to  attack  the  Macoii  railroad  at  or  below  East  Point. 

About  this  time  he  received  a  letter  from  General  Grant  that 
the  government  at  Richmond  was  aroused  by  the  critical  con 
dition  of  affairs,  and  particularly  his  operations  in  Georgia,  to 
look  out  for  the  reenforcement  of  Hood.  He  appreciated  the 
possible  danger  from  this  source  and  that  he  had  no  time  for 
delay.  He  therefore  proposed  to  carry  out  his  original  plan  to 
destroy  the  railroad  and  cut  off  all  supplies  reaching  the  inhab 
itants  and  army  in  Atlanta,  by  which  means  he  expected  to 
force  Hood  to  evacuate  or  come  out  and  fight.  He  was  now 
250  miles  in  advance  of  his  base,  dependent  upon  a  single  line 
of  railroad  for  all  supplies,  and  a  desperate  and  courageous  foe 
intrenched  in  front,  with  communications  open  for  reenforce- 
ments. 

Gen.  O.  O.  Howard,  on  July  27,  succeeded  to  the  command 
of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 

On  July  27  a  cavalry  expedition  got  away  for  Macon  and 
Andersonville  to  release  23,000  Union  soldiers.  The  object, 
however,  was  not  accomplished. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  287 

On  the  zSth  began  the  movement  of  the  Army  of  the  Ten 
nessee  to  the  right  to  make  a  lodgment  on  the  railroad  in  the 
neighborhood  of  East  Point.  About  1 1  a.  in.  this  force  was 
attacked  on  the  right  flank,  held  by  Logan,  until  3  p.  m.  The 
enemy,  after  six  charges,  was  repulsed  with  great  loss. 

It  now  became  apparent  that  the  failures  of  July  22  and  28 
had  sadly  shaken  the  morale  of  Hood's  forces. 

PRESIDENTIAL    PLEASANTRIES. 

After  the  success  thus  far  achieved,  SHERMAN  began  to  feel 
it  was  time  some  of  his  officers  should  be  rememljered  ' '  a  peg 
or  two  "  at  Washington,  especially  as  promotions  were  l^eing 
passed  around  in  other  directions. 

On  July  25  he  made  his  views  known  to  the  Inspector-Gen 
eral  in  this  vigorous  fashion:   "  If  the  rear  be  the  post  of  honor 
then  we  had  better  change  front  on  Washington." 

The  General  was  somewhat  taken  aback  by  receiving  a  dis 
patch  from  the  President  the  next  day  eulogistic  of  the  serv 
ices  of  himself  and  the  officers  of  his  command,  assuring  him  of 
their  full  share  of  the  "honors  and  rewards  of  war,"  at  the 
same  time  reminiscently  calling  to  mind  two  promotions  he  had 
made  on  the  "  recommendation  of  Generals  Giant  and  SHER 
MAN,"  to  which  the  latter  entered  an  explanatory  rejoinder 
"those  were  for  sen-ices  at  Vicksburg,  while  his  later  reminder, 
which  he  had  not  supposed  would  reach  his  (the  President's) 
eye,  applied  to  Atlanta."  Two  days  later  (July  2<S),  while 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  during  a  change  of  position,  was 
resisting  another  formidable  sally,  "Maj.  Gen.  W.  T.  SHERMAN, 
commanding,"  was  called  upon  to  nominate  eight  colonels  to 
be  brigadier-generals.  The  officers  were  selected  through  the 
army  commanders,  three  from  each  of  the  Armies  of  the 
Tennessee  and  Cuml>erland  and  two  from  the  Ohio.  A  more 


288  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

battle-seasoned,  braver  octave  of  volunteer  eagles  never  donned 
the  dual  stars. 

It  was  now  the  summer  solstice  month  of  August,  hot,  but 
healthy.  Atlanta  was  in  the  tightening  embrace  of  a  relentless 
siege.  The  skirmish  line,  covered  with  rifle  trenches,  was  close 
up  and  the  exchange  of  musketry  going  on  day  and  night. 
The  main  lines  were  but  a  few  yards  in  the  background,  with 
muskets  loaded  and  stacked  ready  for  immediate  action.  The 
field  batteries,  covered  by  parapets,  occupied  selected  points  of 
vantage  at  intervals,  from  which  missives,  a  constant  reminder 
of  war,  were  sent  whistling  into  the  city.  The  troops  occupied 
huts  of  their  own  construction  and  were  content  and  deter 
mined.  The  general  formation  remained  unchanged.  Two 
divisions  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps  were  camped  in  reserve  on 
the  right  rear.  A  few  minor  modifications  were  made  during 
the  progress  of  the  siege,  as  necessitated  by  circumstances. 

CAVALRY    MOVEMENTS. 

The  cavalry  of  McCook  had  crossed  the  Chattahoochee  below 
Campbellton,  marching  rapidly  to  the  Macon  Railroad  at  Love- 
joy,  where  he  was  disappointed  in  not  meeting  Stoneman. 
After  destroying  the  track,  cars,  and  telegraph,  and  burning  a 
train  of  500  wagons  from  Atlanta,  killing  '800  mules,  and  cap 
turing  2  officers  and  350  men,  he  found  his  further  progress 
opposed  by  a  superior  force,  but  fought  his  way  back  to  the 
main  army  with  a  loss  of  600  men.  Rumors  were  coming  in 
about  disasters  to  Stoneman  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Okmulgee, 
near  Macon.  On  August  4  this  discomforting  news  was  sus 
tained  by  a  fragment  of  his  cavalry,  which  brought  up  at 
Marietta  much  the  worse  for  its  experience.  These  tidings 
were  additionally  confirmed  from  General  Grant's  headquarters 
before  Richmond.  Another  detached  party  also  found  its  way 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  289 

under  cover.  This  was  the  last  of  Stoneman.  who,  having  dis- 
ol>eyed  orders  in  not  attacking  the  railroad  before  proceeding  to 
Macon,  soon  discovered  himself  in  the  meshes.  Having  crossed 
the  Oknmlgee  near  Covington,  he  moved  down  the  east  bank, 
striking  the  railroad  at  Griswold,  where  he  destroyed  17  loco 
motives  and  100  cars.  Here  he  struck  for  Clinton,  where  he 
found  his  withdrawal  opposed,  as  he  supposed,  by  a  superior 
force.  With  a  small  party  of  700  men  he  held  his  position 
while  the  two  brigades  alluded  to  forced  their  \\ay  out  of  the 
trap,  leaving  their  commander  to  surrender. 

This  venture  satisfied  the  General  that  only  his  main  army 
was  capable  of  making  a  lodgment  on  the  railroad  below 
Atlanta.  Therefore,  without  further  to  dq,  Schofield  was 
intrusted  with  the  attempt,  for  which  he  was  supplied  with  the 
Fourteenth  and  Twenty-third  Corps,  comprising  29,145  infan 
try,  2, 596 artillery,  and  1,750 cavalry — 32,491  men.  Hisobject- 
ive  was  the  railroad  anywhere  alxnit  East  Point.  He  well 
understood  that  the  possession  of  the  Macon  road  would  coerce 
the  evacuation  of  Atlanta,  the  "Gate  City  of  the  South,"  with 
its  foundries,  arsenal,  machine  shops,  and  other  facilities  for 
manufactures  and  supplies  for  warlike  ends.  The  moral  effect, 
too,  would  l)e  to  sound  the  death  knell  of  the  "Southern  Con 
federacy."  With  all  these  temptations  in  view,  his  paramount 
purpose,  however,  was  the  capture,  if  possible,  of  Hood's  army. 

By  way  of  diversion,  SHERMAN  strengthened  his  batteries 
converging  on  Atlanta,  advanced  his  infantry  lines,  shortening 
the  investment,  but  was  not  willing  to  essay  an  assault  except 
a  favorable  opportunity  offered.  Hood  at  the  same  time  was 
making  efforts  to  threaten  his  rear. 

Owing  to  the  disaster  to  Stoneman  and  having  abandoned 
further  attempt  to  make  cavalry  do  the  work  of  infantry,  that 
ami  was  reorganized  by  placing  Kilpatrick,  who  was  new  in 


290  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

this  field,  to  support  Schofield's  exposed  flank  and  Garrard  on 
the  general  left.  McCook  was  in  reserve  about  Marietta  and 
the  railroad. 

MAJOR-GENERAL    IN    THE    REGULAR    ARMY. 

On  August  12  the  news  of  Admiral  Farragut's  capture  of 
Mobile  Bay  reached  headquarters.  About  the  same  time  the 
equally  pleasing  intelligence,  not  onty  personal  to  the  General, 
but  to  the  entire  Army,  was  his  own  promotion  (August  .12) 
to  the  rank  of  major-general  in  the  Regular  Army.  This  act 
of  merited  reward  was  somewhat  disappointing  just  at  that 
moment,  as  the  General,  for  his  own  satisfaction,  did  not  wish 
the  recognition  until  after  he  had  captured  Atlanta,  thereby 
signalizing  that  event. 

General  Hood  was  still  determined  to  hold  the  city, 
' '  though  every  house  in  it  was  battered  down ' '  by  artillery 
and  ever}-  inhabitant — man,  woman,  and  child — slain  by 
SHERMAN'S  incessant  and  close-up  musketry. 

The  only  alternative  was  to  decoy  him  out  of  his  strong 
hold  or  raise  the  siege  and  destroy  his  communications. 

RAIDING  SHERMAN'S  COMMUNICATIONS. 

About  the  middle  of  August,  as  the  General  was  about  to 
avail  himself  of  the  second  alternative,  Hood's  cavalry  at 
tacked  the  line  of  communication  above  Resaca,  capturing 
1,000  head  of  cattle.  Another  force  appeared  in  the  vicinity 
of  Allatoona  and  Etowah  bridge.  It  was  clear  that  Hood 
had  sent  all  his  mounted  force  to  raid  the  railroad. 

COUNTER    CAVALRY    MOVEMENTS. 

This  was  opportunity  to  renew  his  own  cavalry  operations. 
The  general  movement  was  suspended  and  Kilpatrick  dis 
patched  for  another  attempt  to  break  the  Macon  road  near 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  291 

Jonesboro,  which  it  was  supposed  would  force  the  evacuation 
of  the  city  and  possibly  the  capture  of  Hood  in  retreat.  To 
make  the  move  a  surety,  two  brigades  of  Thomas's  cavalry 
were  to  act  in  support.  In  the  meantime  Thomas  himself 
was  to  keep  up  a  persistent  demonstration  on  his  whole  front. 

On  the  1 8th  Kilpatrick  got  off,  and  was  gone  four  days. 
He  had  made  a  complete  circuit  of  Atlanta,  destroyed  a  few 
miles  of  railroad  at  Jonesl>oro,  encountered  a  division  of  in 
fantry  and  brigade  of  cavalry,  and  captured  a  battery  of 
three  guns,  bringing  in  one,  together  with  three  battle  flags 
and  70  prisoners,  as  evidence  of  his  work.  The  next  day, 
however,  trains  were  running  into  Atlanta  as  usual.  With 
this  fresh  experience,  the  General  turned  to  his  original 
plan.  On  his  own  lines  the  railroad  had  been  repaired  and 
the  enemy  gone. 

The  Twentieth  Corps  was  quietly  transferred  back  to  the 
Chattahoochee  bridge,  in  the  works  Johnston  had  constructed. 
The  main  army,  provisioned  for  twenty  days,  marched  around 
Atlanta  by  the  south.  The  secrecy  of  these  movements  was 
astounding,  as  the  enemy  seemed  to  be  entirely  unaware  of 
what  was  going  on  until  completed.  The  General  greatly 
regretted  the  loss  of  the  services  of  General  Dodge,  who  had 
been  wounded  in  the  forehead  on  August  19  and  was  sent  to 
the  rear. 

An  incident  growing  out  of  this  misfortune  is  illustrative  of 
SHERMAN.  In  one  of  these  sallies  General  Dodge  received 
what  the  soldiers  called  "a  Confederate  leave,"  which  was 
thought  to  be  "  unlimited."  In  order  to  await  better  informa 
tion,  SHERMAN  instructed  his  operators  to  send  only  his  own 
dispatches.  Inquiries  came  from  family  and  friends  imploring 
news,  but  his  officers  were  confined  to  his  orders.  In  the  way 
of  comment  upon  what  really  happened  the  General  said,  "I 


292  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

simply  wished  to  send  the  truth,  but  I  only  made  trouble, 
which  always  happened  when  I  tried  to  be  extra  cautious;  I 
always  put  my  foot  in  it,  some  smart  Aleck  getting  ahead  of 
me."  The  General  overlooked  the  fact  that  everything  that 
occurred  went  over  the  wires  at  once. 

The  courage  and  skill  of  this  officer  as  a  leader  of  troops  and 
his  masterly  ability  as  an  engineer  gave  him  double  value  in 
the  hazardous  movement  in  hand.  His  divisions,  after  the  cap 
ture  of  Atlanta,  were  distributed  between  the  Fifteenth  and 
Seventeenth  Corps,  and  thus  took  part  in  what  was  ahead. 

FALSE    HOPES. 

The  enemy  in  the  city,  finally  suspicious  of  something  in  the 
wind,  began  a  furious  cannonade,  but  on  further  investigation  the 
next  morning  found  SHERMAN'S  camps  abandoned.  Naturally 
there  was  great  rejoicing  over  "the  departure  of  the  Yanks." 
The  news  spread  over  the  South.  A  trainload  of  ladies  from 
the  neighboring  towns  as  far  as  Macon  came  up  to  join  in  the 
universal  hilarity. 

BATTLE    OK   JONESBORO. 
[AUGUST   31-SEPTEMBKH   1.  1864.] 

On  the  28th,  by  a  general  left  wheel,  pivoting  on  Schofield, 
Thomas  and  Howard  reached  West  Point,  from  whence  they 
destroyed  the  railroad  effectually  for  miles.  Schofield  at  the 
same  time  menaced  East  Point,  hoping  to  draw  Hood  out  of 
his  city  intrenchment.  On  the  3ist,  in  the  afternoon,  a  sally 
from  Jonesboro  against  the  Fifteenth  Corps  was  easily  repulsed. 

On  the  ist  day  of  September  the  Fourteenth  Corps  (Jeff  C. 
Davis)  closed  down  on  the  north  front  to  Jonesboro,  connect 
ing  on  his  right  with  Howard.  The  left  reached  the  railroad, 
along  which  Stanley  was  followed  by  Schofield.  At  4  p.  m. 
Davis' s  divisions  swept  across  the  cotton  field  and  over  the 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  293 

parapets,  encouraged  by  the  shouts  of  their  comrades,  who  had 
full  view  of  the  gallant  performance,  capturing  a  brigade  and 
two  field  batteries  of  10  guns. 

FALL    OK    ATLANTA. 
[SEI'TK.HKKK  -J,   1H«4.] 

The  movements  were  now  directed  to  cutting  off  the  enemy's 
retreat,  which  only  failed  owing  to  tardiness  or  conflict  of 
orders,  General  Thomas  going  himself  to  urge  a  lap  around 
Jonesboro  on  the  east.  Had  this  part  of  the  programme 
been  promptly  executed  Hardee's  corps  would  have  l)een 
the  chief  spoil.  In  order  to  ascertain  the  effect  of  his  move 
ment  on  Hood  in  Atlanta  the  General  sent  out  a  recon- 
noissance.  Sounds  of  explosions  were  now  heard  in  the 
direction  of  the  city,  20  miles  north.  Atxnit  4  a.  in.  more 
detonations  followed.  At  first  the  General  was  in  doubt 
whether  the  reverberations  came  from  within  Atlanta  or  from 
Slocum  (Twentieth  Corps)  engaged,  Hood  supposing  him 
unsupported. 

Although  Hardee  had  slipped  out  of  Jonesboro  SHERMAN 
was  so  tight  on  his  heels  that  he  was  forced  to  bay  just  above 
Lovejoys  Station,  on  the  much  contested  railroad.  While 
bringing  forward  his  troops  and  feeling  for  a  new  position 
rumors  began  to  come  in  that  Atlanta  was  evacuated  and  that 
Slocum  had  occupied  the  city.  This  was  followed  by  written 
word  from  Slocum  himself,  that  during  the  night,  having  heard 
the  explosion,  he  moved  up  rapidly  from  the  bridge  and  at  day 
light  entered  the  city  without  opposition.  SHERMAN  forwarded 
the  welcome  missive  to  Thomas's  bivouac,  which  lay  near  his 
own.  Thomas,  with  more  haste  than  ceremony,  joined  the 
General,  in  great  excitement  exclaiming,  "Too  good  to  be 
true!" 


294  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

Then  both  examined  the  note  again,  as  neither  could  believe 
his  senses,  and  neither  wished  the  news  to  go  to  the  army  until 
absolutely  verified.  SHERMAN  says,  "Thomas  snapped  his 
ringers,  whistled,  and  almost  danced." 

The  intelligence  was  not  long  in  spreading  among  the  troops, 
who  now  might  rest  upon  their  hard-earned,  well-won  laurels. 
Shout  upon  shout  rang  through  the  three  armies,  from  Lovejoy 
(no  misnomer  then)  to  Chattahoochee. 

The  missives  of  congratulation  and  gratitude  from  the  North 
poured  in  thick  and  fast. 

President  Lincoln  wrote  from  the  Executive  Mansion: 

The    national    thanks    are    tendered  *     for   the    distinguished 

ability    and    perserverance     '  which,     under    Divine    favor,    has 

resulted  in  the  capture  of  Atlanta. 

General  Grant,  from  City  Point,  Va. ,  on  the  same  day  said: 

In  honor  of  your  great  victory  I  have  ordered  a  salute  to  be  fired  with 
shotted  guns  from  every  battery  bearing  on  the  enemy.  The  salute  will 
be  fired  within  an  hour  amid  great  rejoicing. 

OCCUPATION   OF    ATLANTA — RULER    OF    A   STATE. 
[SEPTEMBER  -J-NOVEMBEK  15,   1864.] 

General  SHERMAN,  now  supreme  master  of  the  situation  and 
ruler  of  a  Commonwealth,  in  fact,  master  of  four — Georgia, 
Alabama,  Mississippi,  and  Tennessee — determined  to  give  Hood 
a  chance  to  think  over  his  misfortunes.  As  for  himself,  for 
the  present,  to  rest  satisfied  with  the  occupation  of  Atlanta; 
meanwhile  turning  his  attention  to  the  redisposition  of  his 
arm}'  and  formulation  of  plans  for  the  next  move  on  the 
theater  of  war. 

The  new  formation  was  ordered  on  September  5,  and  three 
days  were  given  for  its  execution,  viz,  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  to  take  position  in  and  about  Atlanta,  the  Ten 
nessee  at  East  Point,  and  Ohio  at  Decatur. 


S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 20 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  295 

SHERMAN,  after  visiting  Jonesl>oro  on  the  6th,  rode  into 
Atlanta  on  the  8th.  The  city  was  occupied  by  the  Twentieth 
Corps  (Slocum)  and  by  himself  as  headquarters  of  the  Military 
Division  of  the  Mississippi  in  the  field. 

NECESSITIES   OK    WAR. 

He  instantly  took  up  a  question  which  had  much  occupied 
his  thoughts  after  the  capture  of  the  city  came  within  range  of 
the  inevitable.  His  first  proposition  was  the  removal  of  the 
entire  civil  population  from  within  its  limits,  with  orders  to  go 
north  or  south,  as  they  should  elect. 

The  next  was  the  prohibition  of  all  civilians  coming  within 
his  lines,  nearer  Atlanta  than  Chattanooga,  for  purposes  of 
trade.  Of  the  army  of  sutlers  and  traders,  who  had  been 
smacking  their  lips  impatiently  at  Nashville  and  Chattanooga, 
he  sifted  the  entire  lot  down  to  three,  one  to  each  army.  The 
city,  which  he  regarded  as  the  prize  of  war,  was  to  be  purely  a 
military  garrison,  with  no  civil  population  to  influence  military 
measures,  as  at  Memphis,  Vicksburg,  Nashville,  and  New 
Orleans,  all  garrisoned  to  protect  the  interests  of  a  hostile 
population.  In  his  own  words,  "so  the  people  would  see  in 
these  measures  he  was  in  earnest,"  and  with  grim  sarcasm, 
"if  they  were  sincere  in  their  common  and  popular  clamor  '  to 
die  in  the  last  ditch,'  the  opportunity  would  soon  come." 

It  is  quite  evident  that  the  General  now  felt  himself  in  a 
position  to  talk  business. 

As  early  as  September  4  he  gave  notice  of  his  purpose  to 
General  Halleck,  concluding: 

If  the  people  raise  a  howl  against  my  barbarity  and  cruelty,  I  will  an 
swer  that  war  is  war  and  not  popularity  seeking.  If  they  want  peace, 
they  and  their  relatives  must  stop  the  war. 

During  the  next  three  weeks  he  was  much  absorbed  in  cor 
respondence. 


296  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

GENERAL  GRANT'S  PLANS  AND  APPRECIATION. 

General  Grant,  from  City  Point  (September  12),  sent  Colo 
nel  Horace  Porter,  of  his  staff,  to  explain  the  exact  condition  of 
affairs  with  him  and  a  letter  suggesting  certain  movements  in 
contemplation,  as  extending  his  lines  to  the  south  of  Rich 
mond,  a  combined  naval  and  military  movement  against  Wil 
mington,  N.  C.,  by  gaining  a  foothold  at  Fort  Fisher  and 
sending  a  force  to  Mobile  and  Savannah  to  enable  him  to 
threaten  Macon  and  Augusta.  ' '  What  you  are  to  do  with  the 
forces  at  your  command  I  do  not  exactly  see,"  adding  "My 
object  in  sending  a  staff  officer  to  you  is  not  so  much  to  sug 
gest  operations  as  to  get  your  views,  though  it  may  be  October 
5  before  any  of  the  plans  may  be  executed."  Concluding: 

I  feel  you  have  accomplished  the  most  gigantic  undertaking  given  to 
any  general  in  this  war,  and  with  a  skill  and  ability  that  will  be  acknowl 
edged  in  history  as  unsurpassed,  if  not  unequaled.  It  gives  me  pleasure 
to  record  this  in  your  favor,  as  it  would  in  favor  of  any  living  man,  my 
self  included. 

MARCH    TO    THE    SEA   SUGGESTED. 

To  this  letter  (September  20)  the  General  replied,  taking  up 
the  propositions  submitted  and  arguing  them  conclusively  with 
suggestions  as  to  his  ideas  of  the  line  of  action.  He  here  gives 
his  first  suggestion  of  his  march  to  the  sea  and  cooperation 
against  Richmond: 

I  should  keep  Hood  employed  and  put  my  army  in  fine  order  for  a  inarch 
on  Augusta,  Columbia,  and  Charleston.  If  you  will  fix  a  date  to  be  in 
Savannah  I  will  insure  our  possession  of  Macon  and  a  point  on  the  river 
below  Augusta.  The  possession  of  the  Savannah  River  is  more  than  fatal 
to  the  possibility  of  the  Southern  independence.  They  may  stand  the  fall 
of  Richmond,  but  not  of  Georgia. 

This  letter  ends: 

In  the  meantime,  know  that  I  admire  your  dogged  perseverance  and 
pluck  more  than  ever.  If  you  can  whip  Lee,  and  I  can  march  to  the 
Atlantic,  I  think  Uncle  Abe  will  give  us  twenty  days'  leave  of  absence  to 
see  our  young  folks.  Yours,  as  ever. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  297 

General  Halleck,  chief  of  staff  (September  16),  from  Wash 
ington,  wrote,  extending  congratulations — 

on  the  capture  of  Atlanta,  the  objective  point  of  your  brilliant  cam 
paign  *  *  *  not  hesitating  to  say  that  it  is  the  most  brilliant  of  the 
war. 

FATE    OK    ATLANTA. 

To  which  General  SHERMAN  responded  (Septeml>er  20), 
"touching  the  removal  of  the  inhabitants  of  Atlanta,"  and 
inclosing  the  correspondence  between  himself,  General  Hood, 
and  the  mayor  of  Atlanta,  observing  that  General  Hood  having 
questioned  his  motives,  "  he  could  not  tamely  submit  to  such 
impertinence."  That  the  removal  "  has  been  made  with  liber 
ality  and  fairness  attended  with  no  force,  and  no  women  or 
children  have  suffered  unless  for  want  of  provisions  by  their 
natural  protectors  and  friends."  He  then  presents  his  reasons, 
viz: 

All  houses  of  Atlanta  are  needed  for  military  storage  and  occupation. 

Wishing  to  contract  the  lines  of  defense  so  as  to  diminish  the  garrison 
and  construct  the  necessary  citadels  and  redoubts,  makes  it  obligatory  to 
destroy  the  houses  used  by  families  as  residences. 

Atlanta  is  a  fortified  town.  Was  stubbornly  defended  and  fairly  cap 
tured.  As  captors  we  have  a  right  to  it. 

A  poor  population  would  compel  us  to  feed  them  or  see  them  starve. 

The  residence  here  of  the  families  of  our  enemies  would  lead  to  hurtful 
correspondence,  call  for  provost  guards  and  oblige  officers  to  listen  to 
everlasting  complaints  that  are  not  military. 

These  are  my  reasons,  and  if  satisfactory  to  the  Government  of  the 
United  States  it  makes  no  difference  to  me  whether  it  pleases  General 
Hood  and  his  people  or  not. 

OPPOSING   CHIEFS   TAKE   UP   THE   PEN. 

In  prosecution  of  his  purposes  with  reference  to  the  city  on 
his  hands,  General  SHERMAN  did  General  Hood  (September  7) 
the  courtesy  of  communicating  his  plans  in  this  respect: 

I  have  deemed  it  to  the  interest  of  the  United  States  that  the  citizens 
now  residing  in  Atlanta  should  remove;  those  who  prefer  it  to  go  South, 
the  rest  North. 


298  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

He  authorized  the  mayor  to  choose  two  citizens  to  convey 
this  letter  to  General  Hood.  The  correspondence  which  fol 
lowed:  Hood  to  SHERMAN  September  9,  SHERMAN  to  Hood 
September  10,  Hood  to  SHERMAN  September  12,  and  SHERMAN 
to  Hood  September  14  at  all  points  bristled  with  sarcasm,  indi 
cating  that  either  was  quite  as  mighty,  SHERMAN  particularly, 
with  his  pen  as  with  his  sword. 

The  weight  of  example,  facts,  history,  and  precedent  the 
general  claimed,  were  on  his  side.  General  Hood  was  the  first 
to  surrender,  in  the  following  tragic  peroration: 

Having  answered  the  points  forced  upon  me,  I  close  this  correspondence 
with  you;  and,  notwithstanding  your  comments  upon  my  appeal  to  God 
in  the  cause  of  humanity,  I  again  humbly  and  reverently  invoke  His 
almighty  aid  in  defense  of  justice  and  right. 

To  which  SHERMAN  unlimbered  for  a  parting  shot  (Septem 
ber  14)  to  the  effect,  having  "carefully  perused  your  last  and 
agreeing  that  such  a  discussion  by  two  soldiers  is  out  of  place, 
I  remind  you  that  you  began  the  controversy;  and,  in  reply 
to  the  only  new  matter  contained  in  your  rejoinder,  add,  we 
have  no  'negro  allies;'  not  a  single  negro  left  Chattanooga  with 
this  army  nor  is  with  it  now. ' ' 

A  municipal  demonstration,  in  the  form  of  a  petitionary 
movement  by  the  mayor  and  two  councilmen,  added  spice  to  the 
boiling  cauldron  of  epistolary  wrath. 

The  general  replied  (September  12): 

Yet  I  shall  not  revoke  my  orders,  because  they  were  not  designed  to 
meet  the  humanities  of  the  case,  but  to  prepare  for  the  future  struggles  in 
which  millions  of  good  people  outside  of  Atlanta  have  a  deep  interest. 
We  must  have  peace  not  only  at  Atlanta  but  in  all  America. 

He  then  proceeded  to  state  with  refreshing  naivete  how  to 
the  extent  of  his  ability  he  proposed  to  bring  it  all  about,  and 
conveyed  many  incisive  points  as  to  the  duty  of  the  citizen  in 
loyal  obligation  to  the  most  free  and  benign  Government  on  the 
face  of  the  earth. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  299 

On  the  theory  of  his  maxim  that  "War  is  hell,"  SHERMAN 
evidently  opined  that  the  best  manifestation  of  the  doctrine  was 
to  give  all  persons,  civil  or  military,  a  hell  of  a  time  in  condon 
ing  or  conducting  it. 

RESTING   ON    ITS   LAURELS. 

The  entire  lines  about  Atlanta  were  redisposed  on  a  scale  of 
contraction.  The  front  was  now  advanced  300  miles  from  Nash 
ville,  the  real  base.  There  was  no  time  to  waste  holding 
Atlanta  and  fighting  to  save  a  railroad.  The  danger  of  a 
natural  reaction  among  officers  and  men  after  the  severe  tension 
of  the  previous  four  months  demanded  vigilance  and  discipline. 
The  enemy's  cavalry  operating  in  Middle  Tennessee  was  to  have 
concert  of  action  by  Forrest  raiding  up  from  Mississippi,  in 
hope  of  compelling  the  army  to  fall  back.  Ample  provisions 
were  made  to  meet  these  movements,  still  keeping  an  eye  on 
Hood,  who  was  holding  on  to  his  vanished  honors  at  Lovejoy's 
station.  As  there  were  no  signs  of  an  early  movement  of  the 
adversary,  here  ends  the  Atlanta  campaign. 

STATISTICS    OF   THE    CAMPAIGN. 

In  taking  a  statistical  view  of  the  whole  campaign,  SHERMAN 
gives  the  following  figures  of  the  strength  of  his  army  each 
month. 

1864. 

May  6 98,  797 

June  i 1 1 2,  819 

July  i 106,  070 

August  i 91,  675 

September  1 81,  758 

The  reduction  of  numbers  was  not  due  solely  to  deaths  and 
wounds,  but  to  expiration  of  service  and  detachments  to  points 
in  the  rear. 


300  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

His  entire  loss  is  stated  officially: 

Killed  and  missing 8,  951 

Wounded 23,  282 


Total 32,  233 

The  losses  of  the  enemy: 

Killed 3,  044 

Wounded 18,  952 

Prisoners  12,  983 

Total 34,  979 

NEGOTIATION   WHICH    CAME    TO    NAUGHT. 

The  appearance  at  the  General's  headquarters  of  a  Mr.  Hill 
and  another  citizen  in  search  of  the  body  of  a  son  of  the  former, 
killed  in  the  retreat  from  Cassville,  opened  the  opportunity  for 
a  matter-of-fact  conversation  upon  the  military  and  political 
aspects  of  the  situation  as  it  affected  the  interests  of  Georgia. 
Mr.  Hill,  in  approaching  the  city,  had  witnessed  the  scenes  of 
destruction  caused  by  the  invading  army.  He  therefore  knew 
from  observation  the  horrors  of  war  and  the  madness  of  its  con 
tinuance.  The  General  consequently  hoped  that  Governor 
Brown  (Joseph  E. )  would  issue  a  proclamation  of  withdrawal 
from  further  rebellion  against  the  authority  of  the  Government 
of  the  United  States  and  adopt  what  was  then  being  agitated  in 
the  South  as  the  policy  of  "separate  State  action."  The  Gen 
eral  proposed  that  he  should  see  the  governor  and  urge  prompt 
action,  in  default  of  which  he  would  be  impelled  to  devastate 
the  State  its  whole  length  and  breadth.  If  the  governor  would 
issue  a  proclamation  as  proposed  he  would  spare  it,  and  in  his 
march  across  it  would  confine  his  troops  to  the  main  road  and 
pay  for  all  corn  and  food  they  consumed.  He  even  author 
ized  Mr.  Hill  to  invite  the  governor  to  visit  him  at  Atlanta, 
promising  a  safe  guard,  and,  further,  if  he  wished  to  make  a 
speech  he  would  guarantee  him  a  large  and  respectful  audience. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  301 

The  message  was  delivered.  The  General  sent  similar  word 
to  Judge  Wright,  at  Rome,  a  former  member  of  Congress,  and 
a  Mr.  King,  at  Marietta.  Governor  Brown  did  go  so  far  as  to  send 
a  letter  of  notification  to  General  Hood  of  the  withdrawal  of  the 
State  militia  from  the  field,  but  only  "  while  the  enemy  is  pre 
paring  for  the  winter  operations  "  and  in  order  "to  gather  corn 
and  sorghum ' '  and  ' '  prepare  themselves  for  such  service  as 
may  be  required  for  another  campaign." 

President  Lincoln,  in  a  dispatch,  expressed  great  interest  in 
these  efforts,  and  particularly  in  the  proffered  invitation  of  a 
visit  from  Georgia's  governor. 

In  his  opinion,  SHERMAN  replied,  it  "was  a  magnificent 
stroke  of  policy,  if  accomplished  without  surrender  of  principle 
or  foot  of  ground,  in  order  to  arouse  the  latent  enmity  of 
Georgia  against  Davis."  The  governor  was  sufficiently 
impressed  to  call  a  special  session  of  the  legislature  at  Milledge- 
ville  to  consider  the  situation  of  affairs. 

On  September  20  another  letter  came  from  General  Grant, 
asking  SHERMAN'S  "views  as  to  what  next." 

These  incipient  movements  in  the  arena  of  politics  brought 
the  authorities  at  Richmond  and  Hood's  army  at  Love  joy  up 
standing.  Hood's  movements,  now  wild,  opened  the  door  to 
central  Georgia.  His  purpose  was  raiding  the  single  railroad 
upon  which  the  army  relied  for  supplies.  About  the  last  week 
in  September  Forrest  captured  Athens,  Ala.,  by  overpowering  a 
small  garrison.  Taking  the  hint  from  this,  SHERMAN  sent  a 
division  of  the  Fourth  Corps  back  to  Chattanooga  and  Corse, 
of  the  Seventeenth,  to  Rome.  This  was  the  first  move  which 
later  led  to  sending  Thomas  to  look  after  affairs  at  Chatta 
nooga  and  Nashville,  while  the  General  himself  would  take 
care  of  Georgia. 


302  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

A    DIVERSION    NOT    IN    THE    ARTICLES    OF   WAR. 

The  commotion  caused  by  the  capture  of  Atlanta  was  so 
intense  throughout  the  Conf ederacy  that  Jefferson  Davis  ' '  lit 
out"  for  Macon  town  and  Hood's  army  (then  at  Palmetto  Sta 
tion),  on  the  West  Point  road,  but  22  miles  south  of  Atlanta, 
moved  across  from  Love  joy.  Davis  made  an  harangue  to  the 
soldiers  as  he  had  to  the  citizens  of  Columbia,  S.  C.,  and 
Macon,  Ga. ,  en  route  outward  bound.  Files  of  local  newspapers 
containing  these  observations  were  promptly  brought  in,  upon 
which  SHERMAN,  by  way  of  comment,  afterwards  said: 

Davis  seemed  to  be  perfectly  upset  by  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  and  to  have 
lost  all  sense  and  reason.  He  denounced  General  Johnston  and 

Governor  Brown  as  traitors  and  the  cause  of  all  the  trouble,  and  prophesied 
that  the  Yankee  army  was  doomed  to  a  retreat  worse  than  that  of  Napo 
leon  from  Moscow. 

Before  the  end  of  September  SHERMAN  notified  Grant  of  the 
transfer  of  the  two  divisions  mentioned,  adding  "there  are  men 
enough  in  the  rear  to  whip  Forrest, ' '  and,  referring  to  the  Brown 
matter,  said  "the  governor  was  afraid  to  act  unless  in  concert 
with  other  governors. ' ' 

In  the  meantime  the  exchange  of  prisoners  and  the  removal 
of  the  inhabitants  of  Atlanta  were  going  on  actively.  The  Gen 
eral  also  arranged  measures  for  the  benefit  of  the  prisoners  at 
Andersonville,  whose  tales  of  brutality,  brought  in  by  escaped 
ones,  exceeded  belief.  At  his  request  Hood  consented  to  relief 
in  the  nature  of  supplies  from  the  North.  Having  telegraphed 
to  St.  lyouis,  the  sanitary  commission  shipped  the  articles 
inventoried,  as  required,  but  before  they  arrived  the  prison  pen 
was  removed  to  Jacksonville,  Fla.  The  goods,  however,  finally 
reached  that  destination. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.        .        303 

HOOD     OFF     FOR     MIDDLE    TENNESSEE    WITH      THOMAS     AFTKR 

HIM. 

General  Grant  sent  notification  of  a  desperate  attempt  to 
"drive  the  invading  army  out  of  Georgia,"  and  that  he  would 
send  all  the  new  troops  east  and  west  as  reenforcements.  Hood, 
in  furtherance  of  his  plan  of  abandonment  of  regular  military 
operations  and  resort  to  raiding,  began  to  edge  his  way  toward 
middle  Tennessee  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the  railroad  in 
the  rear 

In  view  of  these  desultory  movements,  upon  which  he  did 
not  desire  to  expend  his  time  when  more  important  strategic 
operations  were  essential  to  the  closing  up  of  the  war,  the  gen 
eral  decided  to  send  Thomas  to  Chattanooga  with  another  divi 
sion  (of  the  Fourteenth  Corps)  to  take  special  direction  of 
affairs  in  that  quarter.  That  officer  left  for  his  post  on  Septem 
ber  29  specifically  to  drive  Forrest  out  of  Tennessee,  at  the  same 
time  SHERMAN  informed  Generals  Grant  and  Halleck: 

I  prefer  for  the  future  to  make  the  movement  on  Milledgeville,  Milieu, 
and  Savannah,  [adding]  Hood  has  crossed  the  Chattahoochee  below 
Sweetwater.  *  If  he  tries  to  get  our  road  I  shall  attack  him,  but 

if  he  goes  to  the  Selma  and  Talladega  road  why  not  leave  Tennessee  to 
Thomas  [and  me]  to  destroy  Atlanta  and  march  across  Georgia  to  Savan 
nah,  doing  irreparable  damage?  We  can  not  remain  on  the  defensive. 

PURSt'IT   OF    HOOD. 
[04TOBKK  3-28,   1864.] 

The  indications  (October  3)  were  that  Hood  proposed  to 
strike  communications  at  Kingston  or  Marietta.  Ordering 
Slocum  (Twentieth  Corps)  to  hold  Atlanta  and  the  bridges  of 
the  Chattahoochee,  SHERMAN  proceeded  to  look  after  Hood. 
Owing  to  detachments  and  discharges,  the  five  corps  were 
reduced  to  60,000  men  and  two  small  divisions  of  cavalrv.  The 


304         .       Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

enemy  had  8,000  cavalry  (Forrest's)  in  middle  Tennessee  and 
Hood  35,000  to  40,000  infantry  and  artillery  in  addition  to 
Wheeler's  cavalry,  3,000,  for  general  operations.  On  October 
3  and  4  SHERMAN  began  his  pursuit  of  Hood. 

On  the  4th  he  signaled  from  Vinings  Station  to  Kenesaw 
over  the  enemy  and  from  the  latter  point  to  Allatoona  to  Corse 
to  hurry  back  from  Rome  to  assist  Allatoona,  where,  among 
other  stores,  were  1,000,000  rations.  From  Kenesaw  Mountain 
on  the  morning  of  the  following  day,  off  to  the  southwest,  the 
general  descried  a  large  force  of  the  enemy,  and  the  railroad 
from  Big  Shanty  to  Allatoona,  15  miles,  afire. 

Later  in  the  day  he  received  a  signal,  "  Corse  is  here,  "  which 
was  a  great  relief,  as  it  also  indicated  that  valuable  officer  had 
received  his  orders  and  Allatoona  was  well  garrisoned.  At 
2  p.  m.  he  knew  the  relieving  column  was  approaching,  and 
by  less  smoke  of  battle,  which  ceased  at  4  p.  in. ,  knew  also  that 
the  battle  was  closed.  At  that  hour  he  "  read  "  the  attack  had 
been  repulsed. 

On  the  6th,  at  2  p.  m.,  came  a  dispatch  from  Corse,  "I  am 
short  a  cheek  bone  and  ear,  but  am  able  to  whip  all  hell  yet." 
The  enemy  left  231  dead,  411  prisoners,  3  regimental  colors, 
and  800  muskets  on  the  field  and  a  general  officer  among  the 
prisoners.  The  aggregate  loss  was  estimated  at  2,000.  Corse 
suffered  142  killed,  353  wounded,  and  212  missing. 

The  General  made  the  defense  of  Allatoona  the  theme  of  a 
general  order.  He  reached  there  himself  on  the  gth. 

The  repair  of  the  road  took  6  miles  of  iron  and  35,000  ties, 
and  10,000  men  to  lay  them.  The  time  of  doing  it  seemed  to 
mark  the  operation  as  an  act  of  magic.  A  picket  of  the  enemy 
was  overheard  to  say  that  Wheeler  had  blown  up  the  tunnel 
near  Dalton,  and  therefore  the  "Yanks  will  have  to  git  or 
starve. ' ' 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  305 

•'Oh,  hell,"  chimed  in  another,  "old  SHERMAN  carries  a 
duplicate  tunnel  along!" 

In  commenting  upon  the  skill  of  his  men  in  railroad  repair, 
the  General  once  said: 

I  know  of  no  greater  feats  of  war  than  attended  the  defense  of  the  rail 
road  from  Nashville  to  Atlanta  during  the  year  1864. 

From  Allatoona  he  informed  Thomas: 

I  want  to  destroy  all  the  road  below  Chattanooga,  including  Atlanta,  and 
to  make  for  the  seacoast. 

"I    CAN    MAKE    GEORGIA    HOWL." 

The  same  day  he  wired  General  Grant : 

It  is  not  possible  to  protect  the  roads  now  that  Hood,  Forrest,  Wheeler, 
and  the  whole  batch  of  devils  are  turned  loose  without  home  or  habitation. 
[I  propose]  we  break  up  the  road  from  Chattanooga  forward  and  strike 
out  with  our  wagons  to  Milledgeville,  Milieu,  and  Savannah.  I  can  make 
this  march  and  make  Georgia  howl. 

From  Cartersville,  still  on  the  trail,  SHERMAN  notified 
Thomas  that  Hood  was  bound  for  Tuscumbia,  Ala.,  asking: 

Can  you  hold  him  with  your  force  and  expect  reenforcements?  In  that 
event  you  know  what  I  propose  to  do. 

The  same  day  he  again  pressed  Grant: 

Had  I  not  better  execute  the  plan  of  my  letter  and  leave  General  Thomas 
with  troops  now  in  Tennessee  to  defend  that  vState?  Hood  can  constantly 
break  my  road.  Infinitely  preferable  to  make  a  wreck  of  the  road  and  of 
the  country  from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta,  included,  send  to  the  rear  all 
my  wounded  and  unserviceable  men,  and  with  my  effective  force  move 
through  Georgia,  smashing  things  to  the  sea.  I  can  make  Savannah  or 
Charleston  or  the  mouth  of  the  Chattahoochee  ( Apalachicola). 

Answer  quick,  as  I  know  we  will  not  have  the  telegraph  long. 

Receiving  no  reply,  the  General  rode  into  Rome.  Hood's 
demand  for  the  surrender  of  Resaca,  defended  by  Col.  C.  R. 
Weaver,  met  with  the  heroic  reply: 

In  my  opinion  I  can  hold  this  post.     If  you  want  it  come  and  take  it. 


306  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

After  his  Allatoona  experience  Hood  did  a  little  skirmishing 
and  destroyed  the  railroad  to  Tunnel  Hill,  20  miles,  but  made 
no  attack. 

WASHINGTON    WILLING. 

While  at  Ships  Gap,  about  the  middle  of  October,  the  Gen 
eral  was  advised  of  the  willingness  of  the  authorities  at 
Washington  that  he  should  undertake  the  march  across  Georgia 
to  the  sea. 

The  next  day  (October  17)  Thomas  urged: 

I  hope  you  will  adopt  Grant's  idea  of  turning  Wilson  loose  rather  than 
undertake  the  plan  of  the  march  with  the  whole  force  through  Georgia  to 
the  sea,  inasmuch  as  General  Grant  can  not  assist  you  as  at  first  arranged. 

The  same  day  the  General  informed  Schofield: 

I  want  the  road  repaired  to  Atlanta,  sick  and  wounded  sent  north  of  the 
Tennessee.  I  will  then  make  the  interior  of  Georgia  feel  the  weight  of 
war.  Notify  General  Thomas  of  these  my  views. 

It  was  now  quite  evident  from  the  tone  of  his  dispatches  that 
the  General  was  fast  wearing  out  of  patience  with  this  halting 
policy.  The  aimless  movements  of  Hood  satisfied  him  that  he 
could  not  catch  that  wandering  warrior,  as  he  termed  it,  "  in  a 
stern  chase." 

RETALIATORY    MEASURES. 

As  a  retaliation  for  the  attempt  to  cut  off  his  supplies,  Gen 
eral  Slocum,  at  Atlanta,  sent  out  large  trains  of  wagons  to  the 
east,  gathering  up  great  quantities  of  bacon  and  provisions. 
When  the  railroad  was  in  order  he  lived  off  food  from  the  North; 
when  not,  off  the  country.  As  SHERMAN  on  one  occasion  told 
a  planter,  "We  prefer  Illinois  beef,  but  Georgia  mutton  will 
have  to  answer  in  certain  contingencies. ' ' 

On  October  17  intelligence  reached  headquarters  that  Hood 
was  out  of  confidence  and  Beauregard  had  practically  super 
seded  him  near  Gadsden. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  307 

FIGHTING    BATTLES    BY    PROCLAMATION. 

The  new  commander  opened  his  campaign  in  a  proclamatory 
denunciation  of  everything  in  sight,  sparing  no  terms  in  chas 
tisement  of  the  invaders  and  spending  the  balance  of  his  effort 
in  an  appeal  to  honor  stimulated  by  horrors  of  all  kinds,  includ 
ing  rape,  arson,  and  other  sorts  in  stock  to  reignite  the  slum- 
l>ering  enthusiasm  of  the  southern  people. 

The  temperature  of  the  response  does  not  appear  to  have  been 
in  due  proportion  to  the  heat  of  the  invocation.  Thomas  kept 
things  moving  in  his  jurisdiction,  and  SHERMAN  was  gayly  pre 
paring  for  his  promenade  to  tide  water. 

On  October  21-28,  while  bivouacked  in  a  field  back  of  Gayles- 
ville,  the  General  began  his  dispositions  for  the  great  march. 
Beauregard  and  Hood  were  still  sending  out  defiant  proclama 
tions  and  appeals  in  the  customary  frantic  vocabulary  of  that 
modus  of  stirring  up  things. 

At  this  point  ceased  the  pursuit  of  the  Beauregard- Hood 
combine  by  the  army  under  General  SHERMAN'S  immediate 
command. 

CONCENTRATING    FOR    THE    MARCH    TO    THE    SEA. 

In  the  latter  part  of  October  the  General  squarely  informed 
General  Halleck  of  his  intention  to  strengthen  Thomas  and  then 
leave  him  to  defend  the  line  of  the  Tennessee  River. 

With  the  rest,  I  will  push  into  the  heart  of  Georgia  and  come  out  at 
Savannah,  destroying  all  the  railroads  in  the  State. 

He  then  settled  down  to  his  pet  project  in  earnest,  giving  the 
necessary  orders  ( November  i )  to  his  chief  quartermaster  to 
"ship  everything  not  needed  to  Chattanooga,"  and  to  his  chief 
commissary:  "  I  want  nothing  in  Atlanta  but  what  is  necessary 
for  war."  The  same  day  General  Grant  wired: 

If  you  can  see'a  chance  to  destroy  Hood's  army,  attend  to  that  first,  and 
make  your  other  movement  secondary. 


308  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

It  is  apparent  that  General  Grant  feared  a  let  up  of  the 
energetic  methods  of  his  great  lieutenant;  to  which  SHERMAN 
replied  from  Rome  on  the  2d: 

No  single  army  can  catch  Hood.  I  am  convinced  the  best  results  will 
follow  from  our  defeating  Jeff  Davis's  cherished  plan  of  making  me  leave 
Georgia.  If  I  turn  back  the  whole  effect  of  the  campaign  will  be  lost. 

"GO    ON    AS    YOU    PROPOSE." 

To  this  dispatch  Grant  replied  same  day: 

Hood's  army  is  so  out  of  the  way  it  should  be  looked  upon  as  the 
objective.  With  the  force  you  have  left  with  Thomas  he  must  be  able  to 
destroy  him. 

I  say,  then,  go  on  as  you  propose. 

This  was  the  first  direct  order  from  General  Grant  ' '  to  march 
to  the  sea,"  and  SHERMAN  was  not  slow  in  obeying. 

The  same  day  the  General  rode  into  Kingston.  He  now  had  four 
corps — Fourteenth,  Fifteenth,  Seventeenth,  and  Twentieth — 
and  a  division  of  cavalry  strung  along  the  railroad  to  Atlanta. 
The  road  and  telegraph  were  in  order.  He  was  ready  to  begin 
his  great  strategic  move  of  over  300  miles  from  Atlanta  to 
Savannah.  The  sick  and  wounded  were  sent  North  and  the 
wagon  trains  loaded. 

On  November  7  Grant  wired:  "Great  good  fortune  attend 
you.  I  believe  you  will  be  eminently  successful."  All  gar 
risons  below  Chattanooga  were  to  be  evacuated.  The  loth  day 
of  November  (as  soon  as  the  Presidential  election  was  over) 
was  the  day  fixed  for  the  head  of  the  column  to  pull  out. 

All  the  troops  designed  for  the  campaign  received  orders  tc 
concentrate  at  Atlanta,  with  further  orders  to  burn  all  mills  and 
factories  useful  to  an  enemy,  should  one  undertake  to  pursue. 

"ALL  RIGHT." 

The  next  day,  while  the  troops  were  gathering  on  their 
different  lines,  SHERMAN  and  Thomas  exchanged  final  dis- 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  309 

patches.  The  latter  sent  his  last  dispatch  from  Nashville, 
Tenti.,  on  November  12,  at  8.30  a.  m.,  saying,  "  Have  no  fears 
of  Beauregard.  If  he  follows  you,  I  will  follow  him  as  far  as 
possible. ' ' 

SHERMAN  immediately  replied  from  Cartersville,  "Dispatch 
received.  All  right."  At  the  next  moment,  by  his  order,  the 
bridge  was  burned  and  electric  wires  severed. 

The  army  was  now  over  200  miles  in  the  heart  of  the 
enemy's  country  without  a  base,  cut  off  from  all  'succor, 
should  it  be  needed,  and  nothing  to  depend  upon  but  the 
genius  of  its  commander  and'  the  valor  of  50,000  veterans. 

The  same  night  the  General  started  for  Atlanta. 

In  his  nonsentimental,  warrior-like  way,  in  moments  of  re 
flection  later  he  said  he  felt  he  was  about  to  begin  a  direct 
attack  on  L,ee's  army  and  Richmond,  though  1,000  miles  of 
hostile  country  intervened. 

ORGANIZATION    OK   THK    ARMY. 

On  November  14  all  the  corps  which  were  to  fill  so  large  a 
space  in  the  military  movements  of  the  American  civil  war  were 
congregated  at  or  near  Atlanta.  As  a  whole,  the  army  was 
formed  in  two  wings,  the  right,  Maj.  Gen.  O.  O.  Howard,  and 
left,  H.  \V.  Slocum,  commanding. 

Right  wing — Fifteenth  Corps,  Maj.  Gen.  P.  J.  Osterhaus; 
divisions,  Brig.  Gens.  Charles  R.  Wood,  \V.  B.  Hazen,  John 
E.  Smith,  John  M.  Corse,  commanding.  Seventeenth  Corps, 
Maj.  Gen.  Frank  P.  Blair;  divisions,  Maj.  Gen.  John  A. 
Mower,  Brig.  Gens.  M.  D.  Leggett  and  Giles  A.  Smith, 
commanding. 

Left  wing — Fourteenth  Corps,  Maj.  Gen.  Jefferson  C.  Davis; 
divisions,  Brig.  Gens.  \V.  P.  Carlin,  James  D.  Morgan,  and 
A.  Baird,  commanding.  Twentieth  Corps,  Brig.  Gen.  A.  S. 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 21 


310  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

Williams;  divisions,  Brig.  Gens.  X.  J.  Jackson,  John  W. 
Geary,  and  W.  T.  Ward,  commanding. 

Cavalry — Division,  Brig.  Gen.  Judson  Kilpatrick;  brigades, 
Cols.  Eli  H.  Murray  and  Smith  D.  Atkins,  commanding. 

The  strength  of  this  force  at  the  opening  of  the  campaign 
(November  10)  was  59,545  of  all  arms.  Its  maximum  (Decem 
ber  i)  62,204  (infantry,  55,329;  cavalry,  5,063;  artillery,  1,812). 

FIELD     ORDERS. 

Before  leaving  Kingston  (November  8)  the  General  issued 
an  address  to  his  army,  concluding  with  the  simple  words,  "  He 
hopes  to  lead  you  to  achievements  equal  in  importance  to  those 
of  the  past." 

From  the  same  point  the  following  day,  in  special  field  orders, 
the  march,  whereever  practicable,  was  to  be  by  four  roads  as 
nearly  parallel  as  possible,  converging  at  points  to  be  indicated 
in  orders. 

There  was  to  be  no  general  train  of  supplies,  each  corps  to 
have  its  ammunition  and  provision  trains  distributed  as  pre 
scribed.  In  case  of  danger,  this  order  of  march  was  to  be 
changed  by  each  corps  commander  so  as  to  have  his  advance 
and  rear  brigades  unencumbered  by  wheels. 

The  separate  columns  were  to  start  habitually  at  7  a,  in.  and 
make  15  miles  a  day,  unless  otherwise  ordered. 

The  army  was  to  forage  liberally  on  the  country  by  means  of 
a  party  to  each  brigade,  which  was  to  gather  near  the  route 
traveled  corn  or  forage  of  any  kind,  meat  of  any  kind,  vege 
tables,  corn  meal,  or  \vhatever  needed,  aiming  to  keep  in  the 
wagons  at  all  times  at  least  ten  days'  provisions  for  the  com 
mand  and  three  days'  forage  for  the  stock.  Soldiers  were 
prohibited  to  enter  the  dwellings  of  the  inhabitants  or  com 
mit  trespass.  During  a  halt  or  camp  they  might  gather 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  311 

turnips,  potatoes,  or  other  vegetables,  or  drive  in  stock  in  sight 
of  camp.  Only  to  corps  commanders  was  intrusted  the  power 
to  destroy  mills,  houses,  cotton  gins,  etc.  As  a  principle,  where 
the  army  was  unmolested  there  was  to  he  no  destruction,  but 
in  case  of  molestation  by  guerrillas  or  bushwhackers,  devasta 
tion  more  or  less  relentless  according  to  the  measure  of  such 
hostility  was  to  be  enforced.  As  for  horses,  mules,  wagons, 
etc.,  the  cavalry  and  artillery  were  authorized  to  appropriate 
freely  and  without  limit,  discrimination,  however,  to  be  made 
between  the  rich,  usually  hostile,  and  the  poor  and  industrious, 
usually  neutral  or  friendly.  No  abusive  or  threatening  language 
was  allowed.  Certificates  of  facts  might  be  given,  but  no 
receipts.  With  each  family  a  reasonable  portion  for  mainte 
nance  was  to  be  left. 

Able-bodied  negroes  of  service  might  be  permitted  to  accom 
pany  the  columns.  The  organization  at  once  of  a  pioneer  bat 
talion,  one  to  each  army,  composed  of  negroes,  if  possible,  was 
authorized.  Each  wing  was  to  l>e  supplied  with  a  pontoon 
train. 

Each  gun,  caisson,  and  forge  was  to  be  drawn  by  four  teams 
of  horses.  There  were  allowed  2,500  wagons,  each  drawn  by 
6  mules,  loads  2,500  pounds  net,  and  600  ambulances,  by 
2  horses  each.  Each  soldier  was  to  carry  40  rounds  of  ammu 
nition  on  his  person,  and  in  wagons  enough  to  make  up  200 
rounds  per  man.  The  same  with  respect  to  assorted  ammuni 
tion  for  each  gun. 

Each  corps  had  about  800  wagons,  which  on  the  march  occu 
pied  about  5  miles  of  road.  The  artillery  and  wagons  were  to 
have  the  road,  while  the  troops,  with  the  exception  of  the 
advance  and  rear  guards,  were  to  follow  improvised  paths  on 
either  side  of  the  wagons.  The  men  were  also  instructed  to 
assist  the  artillery  or  wagons  up  hills  of  heavy  grade. 


312  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

The  chief  commissary  on  the  14th  reported  1,200,000  rations 
in  hand  for  about  twenty  days.  Also  a  good  supply  of  beef 
cattle  to  be  driven  on  foot.  Forage  of  oats  and  corn  was 
limited  to  five  days,  by  which  time  the  army  was  expected  to  be 
in  touch  with  the  corn  and  other  crops  raised  and  stored  ' '  for 
the  next  campaign"  by  Governor  Brown's  "withdrawn" 
Georgia  State  Militia. 

DESTRUCTION   OF    ATLANTA. 
[NOVEMBER  16-I>E<  EMBEK   1:5.  1S64.] 

The  destruction  of  Atlanta  was  complete  as  to  factories, 
shops,  railroad  buildings,  etc.  The  city  was  in  flames  for  the 
better  part  of  a  day  and  a  night.  No  special  effort  was  made  to 
feed  the  conflagration  into  the  distinctively  residential  quarters. 

The  march  began  at  7  a.  m. ,  November  15,  the  right  wing 
moving  toward  Jonesboro  and  the  left  to\vard  Madison,  being 
divergent  lines  intended  to  threaten  Macon  and  Augusta  at  the 
same  time,  but  not  to  effect  a  concentration  at  Milledgeville,  the 
capital  of  Georgia,  the  objective  about  100  miles  southeast; 
time,  seven  days. 

To  these  scenes  of  war-like  departure  General  SHERMAN  gave 
his  personal  supervision.  The  Fourteenth  Corps  remained 
with  him  to  complete  the  sad  fate  of  Atlanta.  At  7  a.  m.  on 
the  morning  of  the  i6th,  with  his  personal  staff,  an  escort  of 
Alabama  cavalry  and  an  infantry  guard  for  his  small  head 
quarters  train,  the  General  turned  his  back  upon  Atlanta, 
leaving  by  the  Decatur  road. 

MARCH    TO    THE    SEA. 

Upon  the  crest  of  an  eminence  he  turned  to  rest  his  vision 
upon  the  scene  of  so  man}'  desperate  battles.  The  day  was 
extremely  clear  and  bright.  The  city  was  a  smouldering  ruin. 


MAJ.    GEN.    WILLIAM    T.    SHERMAN,    UNITED   STATES   ARMY.      ON    THE    MARCH    TO   THE   SEA. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  313 

The  smoke  seemed  to  overhang  it  like  a  pall.  The  wood  yonder 
marked  the  spot  where  McPherson  fell.  In  the  opposite  direc 
tion  might  be  seen  the  sheen  of  bayonets  and  white  canvas  of 
the  wagons  of  Howard's  column  moving  to  the  south,  while 
the  glistening  muskets  of  Slocum's  wing  directly  in  front  were 
winding  away  at  a  swinging  pace,  thinking  nothing  of  the 
thousand-mile  tramp  ahead. 
In  the  words  of  SHERMAN: 

Some  hand  by  accident  struck  up  the  anthem  "John  Brown's  soul  goes 
inarching  on;"  the  men  caught  up  the  strain  and  never  before  or  since 
have  I  heard  the  chorus  of  "Glory,  glory  halleluiah!"  done  with  more 
spirit,  or  in  better  harmony  of  time  and  place.  As  the  curtain  fell  upon 
this  scene  of  the  drama  we  turned  our  horses'  heads  to  the  east;  Atlanta 
was  soon  lost  behind  a  screen  of  trees  and  became  a  thing  of  the  past. 

As  the  long  columns  of  men  in  heavy  marching  accoutrement 
swung  by,  seeing  their  General  in  their  midst,  up  went  a  shoiit 
which  rang  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea,  often  adding,  "Uncle 
Billy,  I  guess  Grant  is  waiting  for  us  at  Richmond." 

Says  SHERMAN: 

There  was  a  devil-may-care  feeling  pervading  the  officers  and  men  that 
made  one  feel  the  full  load  of  responsibility  for  success  would  be  accepted 
as  a  matter  of  course,  whereas  should  we  fail  this  "march"  would  be 
adjudged  the  wild  adventure  of  a  crazy  fool. 

TO   MILI.EDGEVILLE. 

M>\  i  MUM;  it,  -_•::.  1H64.] 

The  first  camp,  near  Lithonia,  was  ablaze  with  burning  ties 
and  explosions  to  complete  the  utter  wreck  of  the  railroad, 
which  had  caused  so  much  effort  during  the  siege.  The  next 
day,  while  passing  through  Covington,  the  troops  having 
dressed  their  ranks,  with  colors  flying  and  bands  playing 
patriotic  airs,  the  white  inhabitants  came  front  to  witness 
the  scene  despite  their  intense  feelings  of  hate.  The  negroes, 


314  SJierman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

thinking  the  millennium  had  come  for  a  fact,  hailed  the  occa 
sion  with  plantation  jubilees. 

The  same  night  the  General  sat  long  on  his  horse  by  the 
pontoons  of  Ulcofauhatchee,  4  miles  east  of  the  town,  watching 
in  thoughtful  pride  the  crossing  'of  his  veterans. 

The  negroes  began  to  flock  in,  greatly  to  the  embarrassment 
of  the  movement  of  his  columns.  The  General  gave  his  per 
sonal  attention  to  this  embarrassment  by  informing  these 
ignorant  people  of  the  necessity,  for  their  o\vn  good,  of  remain 
ing  where  they  were. 

(The  food  and  foraging  parties  were  by  this  time  in  working 
order.  The  details  were  usually  50  men  with  one  or  two  dis 
creet  officers,  who  started  before  daylight,  extending  their 
expeditions  to  a  distance  of  5  or  6  miles  on  the  flanks.  The 
articles  taken  were  brought  in  by  every  conceivable  means 
of  transportation,} wheeled  vehicles  of  every  character,  from  a 
family  coach  to  a  wheelbarrow,  and  from  a  blooded  racer  to  a 
lame  bullock.  In  the  General's  words: 

No  doubt  there  were  acts  of  pillage  and  violence,  but  in  every  instance 
traced  to  parties  of  foragers  who  dubbed  themselves  "bummers,"  but 
such  acts  were  exceptional  and  unauthorized.  I  never  heard  of  murder 
or  violence  toward  women.  As  no  army  could  carry  food  and 

forage  for  a  march  of  300  miles,  and  there  being  no  magistrates  or  civil 
authorities  to  respond  to  requisitions,  as  in  the  wars  of  Europe,  this  source 
of  supply  was  indispensable  to  success. 

In  the  course  of  the, march  great  skill  was  acquired  by  the 
quartermasters  and  men  in  loading  their  wagons  from  the  means 
of  conveyance  by  which  the  supplies  were  brought  in  without 
loosing  their  places  in  column.  ) 

THOSE    SADDLE    BAGS. 

As  for  the  General's  individual  outfit,  his  orderly  carried  in 
those  famous  saddlebags  a  change  of  underclothing,  a  roll  of 
field  maps,  a  flask  of  whisky,  and  bunch  of  cigars.  For  the 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  315 

comfort  and  sustenance  of  the  inner  man.  under  his  orders  to 
his  troops,  he  "foraged  literally  on  the  country." 

On  the  2ist,  while  dissuading  the  negroes  from  following  his 
army,  he  accidently  discovered  his  bivouac  was  on  the  planta 
tion  of  Howell  Cobb,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  in  the  Cabinet 
of  President  Buchanan.  In  this  instance  his  direct  command 
was  to  "spare  nothing."  The  execution  of  his  order  fell  upon 
Jefferson  C.  Davis,  one  of  the  finest  of  his  own  general  officers. 

On  the  23d  the  General  entered  Milledgeville,  then  the  capi 
tal  of  Georgia,  which  was  occupied  by  the  left  wing,  while  the 
right  lay  in  camp  at  Gordou,  12  miles  distant. 

This  completed  the  first  stage  of  his  "  march."  Slight  oppo 
sition  had  been  encountered  from  the  enemy's  cavalry  4  miles 
from  Macon,  which  was  disposed  of  by  Kilpatrick,  and  also  from 
a  division  of  infantry  as  he  approached  Milledgeville,  which  was 
also  summarily  handled. 

A    LEGISLATURE    ON    THE    WING. 

The  people  generally  remained  at  home,  but  Governor  Brown, 
unwilling  to  await  the  convenience  of  that  invitation  to  a  visit, 
departed  with  the  legislature,  nor  did  the  fathers  even  do 
the  courtesy  of  tendering  the  keys  of  the  city.  A  party  of  offi 
cers,  in  order  to  lift  the  interregnum,  convened  a  legislature 
of  their  own,  elected  a  sj>eaker,  and  introduced,  debated,  and 
adopted  a  resolution  rescinding  the  ordinance  of  secession  of  the 
State  of  Georgia  from  the  Union. 

FRANTIC    APPEALS. 

The  governor  and  legislature  at  a  distance  indulged  in  frantic 
appeals  to  the  people,  failing,  however,- to  set  the  example  "to 
turn  out  en  masse  to  destroy  the  invaders."  Prisoners  and 
convicts  were  released  upon  promise  of  filling  up  the  ranks  and 


316  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

fighting  "the  dastard  foe."  The  newspapers  were  divided 
between  consternation  at  the  temerity  of  the  movement,  and 
fooling  the  people  into  the  belief  that  ' '  the  invaders  were  run 
ning  for  their  lives  to  get  under  cover  of  their  fleet  off  the 
coast."  Beauregard,  at  Corinth,  several  hundred  miles  away, 
instituted  a  new  war  of  shouting  on  stationery,  exclaiming 
"People  of  Georgia,  arise!"  etc.  Former  United  States 
Senator  Ben  Hill  from  Richmond  sent  out  a  prommciamento, 
"Georgians,  be  firm!  Act  promptly,  and  fear  not!"  etc. 
Seddon,  Secretary  of  War,  given  to  the  politician  habit,  indorsed 
"  I  most  cordially  approve  of  the  above."  The  "  Georgia  dele 
gation  in  Congress"  (Confederate)  added  a  chorus,  "Assail  the 
invader  in  front,  flank,  and  rear  by  night  and  day!  Let  him 
have  no  rest ! ' ' 

No  one  "  arised,"  no  one  "  acted  promptly  nor  feared  not," 
nor  did  anyone  materialize  to  "  assail  the  invader."  So,  all  in 
all,  no  one  was  hurt,  and  SHERMAN  went  gaily  on  about  his 
business. 

NEXT   STOP   WILL    BE    MILLEN. 
'NOVEMBER  23-DECEMBEK  :t.  1884.] 

The  general  orders  of  the  236.  fixed  Millen  as  the  end  of  the 
next  stage.  Efforts  were  made  to  interpose  a  force  against 
further  progress.  Hardee,  under  orders  of  Beauregard, 
appeared  in  front,  with  "an  arm)-  on  paper,  between  Milledge- 
ville  and  Augusta,  having  wrorked  himself  into  the  belief  that 
he  had  come  to  ' '  annihilate  SHERMAN.  '; 

On  the  26th,  at  Sanderville,  a  detachment  of  the  enemy's  cav 
alry  jumped  the  flankers  with  which  SHERMAN  was  present  in 
person.  The  latter  so  quickly  jumped  the  jumpers  that  most 
of  them,  even  to  horses,  got  ahead  of  their  saddles  in  their  haste 
to  get  out  of  reach.  This  party  having  commenced  to  execute 
the  earlier  threat  to  destrov  all  corn  and  fodder  in  advance  of 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  3 1 7 

the  columns,  word  was  sent  that  any  more  of  that  business  and 
the  devastation  would  be  made  complete.  No  more  trouble  of 
this  kind  beset  the  inarch. 

At  this  point  an  aged  negro  who  had  "specially  honored" 
the  occasion  by  a  call  to  see  "  Massa  SHERMAN,"  who  had 
lx;en  explained  as  equipped  with  a  pair  of  horns,  after  manifest 
ing  some  surprise  in  reply  to  an  inquiry,  thus  described  the 
march  of  the  other  column: 

"Fust  they  comes  some  cavalry  mans;  they  burn  the  depot. 
Then  they  comes  some  infantery  mans;  they  burn  the  track. 
Then  they  comes  de  last;  they  bone  de  well." 

The  General  laughed  heartily  at  the  graphic  picture  of  the 
simple  negro's  idea  of  war.  The  next  day  he  rode  over  to 
ins]>ect  Corse's  work  and  assure  himself  of  the  "boned"  well. 
He  found  it  as  described,  the  windlass  and  bucket  gone  and  the 
vacant  hoops  a  memory  of  what  had  been. 

The  persistency  of  the  cavalry  attacks  on  the  flanks  becom 
ing  somewhat  annoying,  General  Slocum  was  ordered  "to  give 
Wheeler  all  the  fighting  he  wanted." 

On  Decemt>er  3  the  army  entered  Millen  with  the  Seven 
teenth  Corps.  Here  the  General  communicated  with  all  parts 
of  his  command,  finding  each  corps  in  good  position,  the  organi 
zations  and  men  in  excellent  condition,  and  the  wagons  full. 

As  the  army  now  began  to  approach  the  coast,  the  country 
became  barren  and  food  scarce.  It  had  traversed  about  two- 
thirds  the  distance  without  loss.  The  General  now  determined 
to  push  for  Savannah  as  rapidly  as  possible. 

OX   THE    ROAD    TO    SAVANNAH. 

General  Bragg  was  in  Augusta  trying  to  whoop  up  a  force. 
Gen.  Wade  Hampton  had  been  ordered  from  Richmond  to 
organize  a  detachment  of  cavalry  for  service  in  the  field. 


318  Slier  man:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

Hardee  was  ahead,  between  SHERMAX  and  Savannah,  with  a 
division  and  a  number  of  irregular  troops,  in  all,  10,000  men. 
Millen  was  destroyed  and  SHERMAX  went  marching  on,  closing 
in  upon  Savannah  by  the  four  main  roads. 

On  December  5  he  made  his  bivouac  on  the  Ogeechee  River, 
50  miles  from  the  terminal  of  his  march.  Here  he  found  for 
tifications,  but  no  force.  He  had  entered  the  rice  belt.  The 
country  furnished  little  or  nothing  except  rice,  which,  however, 
was  excellent  for  food  and  forage. 

The  weather  was  delightful,  the  roads  fine,  and  trains  in 
first-class  order.  The  daily  stint  of  15  miles  marching  was 
accomplished  with  ease.  There  had  been  brushes  with  cavalry , 
but  nothing  serious,  while  the  infantry  experienced  no  opposi 
tion  whatever. 

On  the  8th  the  explosion  of  an  8-inch  shell  in  the  road,  causing 
the  loss  of  a  foot  by  one  of  his  best  young  officers,  the  column 
being  obliged  to  make  a  detour  across  the  fields,  aroused  the 
anger  of  the  General  to  the  highest  pitch.  "This  is  not  war," 
he  exclaimed,  "this  is  murder. "  Accordingly  prisoners  were 
taken  from  the  provost  guards  and  put  in  advance  to  clear  the 
way.  Xo  amount  of  begging  off  would  suffice.  They  were 
their  own  torpedoes  and  they  would  remove  them,  which  they 
did  in  the  most  gingerly  fashion,  but  no  other  crop  of  that 
character  was  found  on  the  road  to  Fort  McAllister. 

THE  SEA!    THE  SEA!! 

That  night  the  General  spread  his  tent  fiy  at  Pooler  Station, 
8  miles  from  Savannah.  During  the  next  two  days  (gth  and 
loth)  the  different  corps  camped  before  the  defenses — the  Four 
teenth  on  the  left,  touching  the  river,  the  Twentieth  on  the 
right,  the  Seventeenth  on  its  right,  and  the  Fifteenth  on  the 
extreme  right — completely  investing  the  doomed  city. 


SJi''nnan:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  319 

The  General,  coming  forward,  made  a  reconnoissance  within 
800  yards,  where  he  could  see  the  enemy  making  preparations 
to  fire.  He  was  again  front  to  front  with  the  familiar  parapets, 
with  ditches,  channels,  and  bayous  almost  similar  to  those  over 
which  he  had  fought  in  Vickshtirg  days.  Having  shifted  his 
jK-rsonal  camp  near  Louisville,  about  5  miles  from  Savannah, 
he  made  his  formations  for  a  regular  investment.  He  also 
opened  communication  with  the  fleet,  supposed  to  be  rendez 
voused  at  Ossabaw  Sound,  by  means  of  a  scout  and  two  men, 
who  drifted  by  tlu  fort  by  night  in  a  canoe. 

On  the  1 2th  Hazen  was  ordered  to  march  down  the  Ogeechee 
"  and  without  hesitation  assault  and  take  Fort  McAlister  by 
storm."  It  is  interesting  to  say  the  division  (Second  of  the 
Fifteenth  Corps )  to  perform  this  desperate  duty  was  the  one 
which  SHERMAN  fought  at  Shiloh  and  Yicksburg,  therefore  in 
which  he  took  great  pride. 

TAKING    OF    FOKT    M \\LISTER. 

UK  I  Mill  li.    I  sii  I. 

From  his  signal  station  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Ogeechee 
the  fort  could  be  seen  3  miles  away  over  the  salt  marshes.  It 
also  commanded  a  view  seaward  toward  Ossabaw  Sound. 

At  4  p.  m.,  observing  a  great  stir  within  the  fort,  he  detected 
also  Hazen's  signal  which  flagged  across  the  intervening 
marshes: 

"  Is  SHERMAN  there?" 

"Yes;  and  expects  the  fort  to  be  carried  by  night,"  went 
back  from  SHERMAN*  himself. 

It  was  within  an  hour  of  sundown,  when  a  faint  streak  of 
smoke  rose  on  the  horizon  l>eyond  the  intervening  sedge. 

A  steamer  waving  the  United  States  flag  at  the  fore  hove 
cautiously  in  sight. 


320  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

"All  ready,"  signaled  Hazen. 

"  Go  ahead,"  answered  SHERMAN. 

While  Hazen  was  attending  to  the  fort  the  steamer  broke 
away  her  signals. 

"  Who  are  you?" 

"  General  SHERMAN." 

"Is  Fort  McAlister  taken?" 

"  Not  yet,  but  will  be  in  a  minute.  ' 

The  same  instant  Hazen 's  men  appeared  on  the  fringe  of 
wood.  His  lines  were  dressed  and  colors  flying.  Away  they 
went  up  the  glacis.  The  fort's  great  guns  belched  their  death- 
dealing  breath  of  smoke  and  iron.  Down  goes  the  starry 
colors;  up  again  and  onward.  The  density  of  smoke  envelop 
ing  the  fort  and  men  heightened  the  tension  of  anxiety  and 
hope.  A  sudden  pause  and  the  sulphurous  veil  lifted.  Upon 
the  ramparts  stood  the  blue  instead  of  the  gray.  The  fort 
was  won. 

The  complete  success  of  the  assault  having  been  signaled  to 
the  General,  the  glorious  words  were  carried  to  the  waiting 
craft: 

' '  Yes;  the  fort  is  taken. ' ' 

In  an  oyster  skiff,  manned  by  a  volunteer  crew,  the  con 
queror  of  Georgia,  accompanied  by  General  Howard,  the 
commander  of  his  right  wing,  pulled  down  the  river  to  Fort 
McAllister,  6  miles,  although  in  a  direct  line  the  distance  was 
but  3.  Upon  landing,  guided  by  a  sentry,  he  took  General 
Hazen  quite  by  surprise.  To  the  attacking  party  the  loss  was 
92.  Of  the  garrison  of  250  men  50  were  killed  and  wounded. 
At  supper  the  commander  of  the  fort,  a  prisoner,  was  an  invited 
guest — a  curious  anomaly  of  war;  a  few  minutes  before 
meting  out  death  in  sheets  of  flame,  now  breaking  bread  over 
the  cloth. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  321 

VISITS    THK   SCOUT    BOAT. 

Having  posted  himself  as  to  the  situation  at  the  fort,  the 
General  continued  his  nocturnal  round.  It  required  a  tramp  of 
a  mile  to  a  landing,  where  he  found  a  yawl,  in  which  himself 
and  Howard  embarked,  taking  their  own  stunt  in  a  pull  of  6 
miles  to  the  gunboat,  which  they  found  to  be  the  Dandelion. 

Here  it  was  learned  Admiral  Dahlgren  was  in  command  of 
the  squadron  (South  Atlantic)  anchored  at  Wassaw  Sound. 
Gen.  J.  G.  Foster,  of  the  Department  of  the  South,  had  head 
quarters  at  Hilton  Head.  A  fleet  of  ships  with  abundant  stores 
was  in  Tybee  Roads  and  Port  Royal  Harbor.  He  also  heard 
the  first  news  of  the  outside  world  since  his  hermit  march. 
General  Grant  still  held  Richmond  in  a  vise,  and  Thomas,  at 
the  other  end  of  his  own  military  division,  had  not  yet  carried 
out  the  programme  expected.  As  a  diversion  he  enjoyed  a  file 
of  newspapers  from  rebeldom  retailing  frightful  tales  of 
"defeat,"  "rout,"  "race  for  the  coast,"  " sanguinary  slaugh 
ter,"  and  other  blood-curdling  experiences. 

A  scintilla  of  truth  would  have  found  the  bleached  bones  of 
his  army  strewn  over  the  plains  of  Georgia,  instead  of  resting  on 
the  Dandelion' s  decks  and  Savannah  meads.  Availing  himself 
of  the  conveniences  at  hand  the  General  ran  off,  with  whirlwind 
speed,  letters  to  General  Grant,  Secretary  Stanton,  Admiral 
Dahlgren,  and  General  Foster,  adding  to  the  latter  directions 
for  the  establishment  of  a  line  of  supplies  by  vessels  in  port  to 
his  army  up  the  Ogeechee. 

To  the  Secretary  of  War  (December  13)  he  wrote: 

I  regard  Savannah  as  already  gained,  although  garrisoned  by  15,000 
troops.  I  have  destroyed  200  miles  of  railroad,  and  otherwise  rendered 
Georgia  useless  for  hostile  ends. 

He  was  towed  back  in  his  "conqueror's  yawl  "  as  near  the 
fort  as  darkness  and  hidden  torpedoes  would  admit,  whence  he 


322  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

stroked  his  way  ashore,  guided  by  flickering  camp  fires.  Gen 
eral  Foster  had  come  down  from  Port  Royal,  having  failed  to 
effect  a  lodgment  on  the  railroad  between  Savannah  and 
Charleston,  near  Pocotaligo.  Indeed,  everything  had  failed, 
except  SHERMAN  himself. 

The  General,  while  visiting  Admiral  Dahlgren  at  Wassaw 
Sound,  made  his  own  arrangements  for  supplies  and  siege  guns 
for  service  against  Savannah.  The  Admiral  conveyed  the  Gen 
eral  back  to  Fort  McAllister,  meanwhile  reaching  a  complete 
understanding.  Thus  went  by  the  next  day. 

SIEGK    OF   SAVANNAH. 
[DKCEMBKK  15-21,  1864.] 

On  the  1 5th  the  General,  at  the  headquarters  of  Howard,  8 
miles  inland  from  Savannah,  ordered  his  own  moved  near  the 
same  point.  Here  he  began  the  siege.  His  anxiety  was  to 
break  the  enemy's  lines  before  reenforcements  from  Virginia  or 
Augusta  could  arrive. 

A  letter  from  General  Grant  (December  6)  suggested  the 
' '  most  important  operation  now  to  end  the  rebellion  was  to 
close  out  Lee  and  his  army,  as  it  would  take  three  months  to 
repair  damages,  by  which  time  he  expected  to  finish  up  Rich 
mond.  !'  His  idea  was  for  SHERMAN  "to  establish  a  base  on 
the  coast,  and  with  the  Test  of  his  force  come  to  City  Point  with 
all  dispatch,"  adding,  "Select  the  officer  to  command,  but  you 
I  want  in  person." 

General  SHERMAN  had  set  his  mind  on  the  capture  of  Savan 
nah,  and  after  plans  of  his  own.  Therefore  to  embark  for  Vir 
ginia  was  directly  antagonistic  to  his  well-digested  purpose. 

On  December  16,  therefore,  he  wrote  to  his  chief,  giving  an 
account  of  his  movements;  that  he  was  instituting  measures  to 
come  to  him  with  50,000  or  60,000  men,  intending  to  capture 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  323 

Savannah,  if  he  had  time;  he  had  expected,  however,  \vith  his 
present  command,  after  reducing  Savannah,  to  inarch  on 
Columbia,  S.  C.,  then  to  Raleigh,  then  to  report  to  him,  requir 
ing  for  the  transit  six  weeks  after  taking  Savannah,  probably 
by  the  middle  of  January. 

ENEMY    ABANDONS    SAVANNAH. 

|>I  i  I  Ml:l  i:   •_'!.  1H«4.] 

On  December  17  the  General  sent  a  flag  into  the  city,  de 
manding  its  surrender.  Being  refused,  he  determined  to  en 
force  it.  He  had  promised  liberal  terms  to  the  inhabitants 
and  garrison,  but  if  compelled  to  assault  or  to  starve  them 
out  he  would  resort  to  the  harshest  measures,  not  even  restrain 
ing  his  army,  to  avenge  the  national  wrong  attached  to  Savan 
nah  and  other  cities  responsible  for  dragging  the  country  into 
civil  war. 

To  General  Grant  he  again  wrote  (December  18)  inclosing 
the  summons  to  surrender  and  refusal,  concluding: 

I  have  a  faint  belief  you  will  delay  operations  long  enough  to  enable  me 
to  succeed  here.  With  Savannah  in  possession  I  can  punish  South  Caro 
lina  as  she  deserves  and  as  thousands  of  people  of  Georgia  hoped  I 
would  do.  The  whole  I'nited  States  would  rejoice  to  have  this  army 
turned  loose  on  South  Carolina  to  devastate  that  State  as  I  have  done 
Georgia,  and  will  have  a  direct  bearing  on  your  camp  in  Virginia. 

SHERMAN,  two  days  previously  (i8th),  received  a  letter 
from  Halleck,  mentioning  General  Grant  as  having  informed 
him — 

of  the  suggested  transfer  of  his  infantry  to  Richmond,  but  now  wishes  him 
to  say  that  you  will  retain  your  entire  force  and  operate  from  such  abase 
as  you  may  establish  on  the  coast.  General  Foster  will  obey  your  instruc 
tions  and  Admiral  Dahlgren  assist.  General  Grant  wishes  that  this  whole 
matter  of  your  future  action  shall  lie  left  entirely  to  your  discretion.  He 
will  send  you  everything  required. 

Upon  Hardee's  refusal  to  surrender,  SHERMAN  tightened  his 
lines,  and  determined  to  capture  the  entire  garrison.  Having 


324  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

given  his  orders  he  allowed  three  days  for  preparations,  dur 
ing  that  interim  proposing  to  visit  Admiral  Dahlgren. 

While  on  his  return  (December  21)  a  letter  announced  the 
evacuation  of  Savannah  on  that  morning.  The  General  was 
sorely  disappointed,  especially  as  his  first  move  on  his  return 
was  to  bottle  up  Hardee  and  force  a  fight  or  a  famine. 

A    MERRY    CHRISTMAS. 

As  a  happy  and  timely  thought  the  General  (December  22) 
penned  a  dispatch  tendering  to  President  Lincoln  as  a  Christ 
mas  gift  the  city  of  Savannah,  with  150  guns,  plenty  of 
ammunition,  and  25,000  bales  of  cotton. 

The  dispatch  reached  the  President  on  Christmas  eve,  and 
was  at  once  spread  with  electric  flash  over  the  entire  North. 

Three  days  after  Christmas  the  President  sent  to  his  tri 
umphant  general  his  celebrated  "Many,  many  thanks"  dis 
patch  by  the  hands  of  Maj.  Gen.  John  A.  L,ogan. 

On  December  24  SHERMAN  thanked  Grant  for  the  commen 
dation  of  his  army,  and  expressed  his  pleasure  at  the  modifica 
tion  of  his  former  order,  "as  he  feared  the  transportation  of 
his  army  by  sea  would  very  much  disturb  its  unity  and  morale, 
now  so  perfect." 

AGAIN    ON    THE    MOVE. 
[DECEMBER  21,  1864-JAMJARY  19,  1865.] 

After  dismantling  the  Savannah  forts  bearing  on  the  sea 
approach  and  modifying  the  defenses  for  a  smaller  garrison, 
the  plans  were  perfected  for  the  movement  northward.  In 
his  last  letter  SHERMAN,  after  man}-  details  of  his  proposed 
operations,  concluded: 

The  game  is  then  up  with  Lee,  unless  he  comes  out  of  Richmond, 
avoids  you,  and  fights  me.  In  which  case  I  should  reckon  you  on  his 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  325 

heels.      Now  that  Hood  is  used  up  I  feel  disjxised  to  brinjj  the  matter  to 
an  issue  as  quickly  as  possible. 

If  you  feel  confident  you  can  whip  Ivee  outside  his  intrenchments,  I  feel 
equally  confident  I  can  handle  him  in  the  open  country. 

The  interval  between  the  230!  and  26th  of  December  was  de 
voted  to  orders  respecting  a  safe  disposition  of  the  military  and 
civil  administration  of  Savannah.  In  reference  to  the  "  hostility 
of  its  inhabitants,"  as  the  war  was  near  its  close,  the  General 
decided,  unlike  Atlanta,  to  give  them  the  option  of  remaining 
or  departing  to  Charleston  or  Augusta.  The  mass  preferred 
to  remain.  The  mayor  of  the  city  was  so  thoroughly  "sub 
jugated"  that,  taking  advantage  of  his  complete  docility,  the 
General  authorized  him  to  revive  the  municipal  government. 
Maj.  Gen.  John  \V.  Geary,  having  been  the  first  to  enter  the 
city,  was  appointed  to  command  as  military  governor. 

In  a  letter  of  December  27,  received  on  January  2,  1865, 
General  Grant,  in  reply  to  SHERMAN'S  plan  of  land  operations 
northward,  suggested  a  base  at  Pocotaligo  or  Coosawahatchee, 
while  he  strengthened  himself  at  Richmond,  and  concluded — 

without  waiting  further  directions,  then,  you  may  make  your  preparations 
to  start  on  your  northern  expedition  without  delay. 

In  reply,  on  the  same  day,  SHERMAN  transmitted  what  he 
capped  "  Pro  jet  for  January,"  which  covered  the  programme 
as  carried  out.  The  right  wing  was  to  be  moved  on  transports 
to  the  head  of  Broad  River,  on  the  South  Carolina  side,  and 
massed  near  Pocotaligo,  25  miles  inland. 

The  left  and  cavalry  were  to  go  by  road  to  Hardeeville,  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  same  point,  the  transfer  of  post  to  be  accomplished 
by  January  15.  Howard,  with  the  right,  arrived  at  his  rendez 
vous  January  10.  Slocum,  with  the  left,  was  also  on  time.  A 
lodgment  was  now  secured  and  the  army  ready  to  move  off 
on  what  is  known  in  history  as  "SHERMAN'S  Campaign  in 
the  Carolinas."  This  was  an  ante-climax  to  his  wonderful 
S.  Doc.  320,  5S-2 22 


326  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

dispositions.  Hood  routed  at  Nashville  and  Hardee  run  out  of 
Savannah  about  the  same  time,  the  former  being  the  comple 
ment  of  the  latter,  and  Richmond  by  the  rear  now  the  objective. 

FINALE  OF  THE  "MARCH  TO  THE  SEA." 
[JAM  AKY  H,  1S65.] 

On  January  8  the  General  announced  in  general  field  orders 
'the  congratulating  letters  of  President  Lincoln  and  Lieutenant- 
General  Grant  upon  the  campaign  to  the  sea  and  defeat  of  Hood 
in  Tennessee.  He  authorized  each  regiment  to  inscribe  on  its 
banner  the  word  "Savannah"  or  "Xashville."  With  this 
laudatory  pronouncement  terminated  the  "March  to  the  sea." 
The  General  himself  regarded  this  movement  "as  a  shift  of 
base  from  a  city  of  no  value  to  Savannah  a  step  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Richmond." 

The  total  losses  during  the  March  were,  killed  and  wounded, 
1,338.  The  gains,  the  military  vantage  already  mentioned, 
65,000  men  fed  and  32,000  horses  and  mules  foraged  for  forty 
days. 

AGAIN   TENDERED    THE    THANKS    OF    CONGRESS. 

Congress  again  (January  10,  1865)  came  forward  with  a 
tender  of  thanks  "to  SHERMAN  and  his  army  for  their  trium 
phant  march  from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta  and  through  Georgia 
to  Savannah. ' ' 

THE    COTTON    AND    NEGRO    QUESTION    ONCE    MORE. 

At  this  untimely  moment  (January  1 1 ) ,  at  the  very  inception 
of  a  movement  which  was  to  deliver  a  brain  clout  to  the  hydra- 
headed  army  of  the  rebellion,  Secretary  Stanton,  accompanied 
by  Quartermaster-General  Meigs,  Adjutant- General  Townsend, 
and  an  agent  of  the  Treasury  Department,  arrived,  as  it  was 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  327 

called,  to  "  regulate  civil  affairs,"  but  really  to  talk  "  negro  and 
cotton."  The  next  day,  accordingly.  General  SHERMAN  turned 
the  custom-house  over  to  the  agent  of  the  United  States  Treas 
ury  and  gave  ear  to  the  Secretary's  negro  proposals. 

There  was  one  marked  characteristic  of  SHERMAN.  Although 
of  a  restive  spirit,  prompt  to  act,  and  righteously  exacting  in 
his  convictions  of  duty,  right,  and  justice,  he  possessed  a  mar 
velous  degree  of  equanimity  and  forbearance.  He  had  been 
tried  in  the  crucible  of  experience  and  had  ever  stood  The  test. 

During  the  Secretary's  sojourn  the  General  ciceroned  him 
about  the  city,  put  him  in  touch  with  negroes  by  the  wholesale, 
and  arranged  at  his  own  headquarters  a  convocation  of  2cr  negro 
Baptist  and  Methodist  preachers,  where  the  Secretary  pat  Jhem 
on  the  stand,  Adjutant-General  Thomas  (Lorenzo)  taking  pro 
lix  notes! 

Upon  reaching  the  "twelfth"  interrogatory  in  the  series, 
General  SHERMAN,  much  to  his  surprise  and  strain  of  the  char 
acteristic  previously  alluded  to,  was  requested  to  leave  the 
room. 

The  preachers,  however,  stood  up  nobly  in  his  behalf.  They 
united  in  one  voice,  20  of  them  present,  in  declaring — 

we  looked  upon  General  SHERMAN  prior  to  his  arrival  as  a  man  in  the 
providence  of  God  set  apart  to  accomplish  his  work.  *  *  His  con 

duct  toward  us  has  characterized  him  as  a  friend  and  gentleman  *  *  ; 

what  concerns  us  could  not  be  in  better  hands. 

As  set  forth  in  his  "  Memoirs,"  the  General  did  not  take  very 
kindly  to  this  summary  procedure  toward  the  commander  of  an 
army  of  100,000  men,  who  had  marched  some  600  miles  through 
the  heart  of  the  enemy's  country  and  had  given  the  deathblow 
to  rebellion.  He  said  nothing,  however,  and  went  on  with  his 
glorious  work. 

All  this  on  account  of  an  element  in  the  rear  which,  ex  parte, 


328  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

put  him  down  as  hostile  to  the  negro,  simply  because  he  would 
not  load  himself  down  with  tens  of  thousands  of  these  helpless 
and  dependent  people  under  the  circumstances,  with  ruination 
for  his  army  and  damnation  for  the  Union. 

His  true  friendship  was  shown  repeatedly  on  his  march  in  the 
cabins  and  gatherings  of  the  former  black  slaves;  taking  them 
into  his  confidence;  telling  them  how  he  wished  to  beat  and 
ruin  their  taskmasters  into  submission;  then  would  come  their 
day  of  deliverance;  urged  them  to  stay  where  they  were  for 
the  present,  where  they  could  raise  corn  and  bacon  for  food  and 
have  shelter  for  themselves,  their  old  and  sick  people,  women 
and  children.  He  showed  them  that  was  the  best  for  him  and 
the  brave  men  they  saw  around  and  for  themselves.  The  grati 
tude  of  these  simple  people  of  the  plantation  cabins  was  mani 
fested  in  many  ways,  often  pathetic.  They  obeyed  his  wish  and 
his  army  continued  to  victory. 

A    TRIUMPH    OF    ANOTHER    KIND. 

General  Halleck  had  prepared  SHERMAN  beforehand  in  a 
letter  "about  people  about  the  President  torturing  him  with 
suspicions  of  his  fidelity  to  him  and  his  negro  policy." 

The  President,  in  the  soundness  of  his  judgment,  knew 
better  and  appreciated  his  services  and  his  methods. 

The  General,  concluding  a  letter  on  the  subject,  said:  "My 
aim  is  to  whip  the  rebels  and  humble  their  pride,  to  follow 
them  to  their  inmost  recesses  and  make  them  fear  and  dread 
us,"  adding,  contemplatively,  "The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the 
beginning  of  wisdom." 

Besides,  as  he  added — 

I  did  not  propose  to  have  it  cast  up  to  me,  as  Hood  had  done  at 
Atlanta,  that  we  had  to  call  on  their  slaves  to  help  to  subdue  them. 

The  Secretary  of  War  was  completely  converted,  if  he  had 
any  other  motive  than  inquiry,  for  he  was  so  taken  by  the 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  329 

superior  wisdom  of  SHERMAN  that  he  requested  him  to  draft 
an  order  on  the  subject  in  accordance  with  his  own  views. 
This  lie  did  on  January  16,  which  was  approved  in  its  entirety 
by  the  Secretary.  The  plan  was  the  setting  apart  of  certain 
islands  and  abandoned  rice  plantations  ' '  for  the  use  of  negroes 
made  free  by  acts  of  war  and  the  proclamation  of  the 
President." 

FROM    POLITICS    AGAIN    TO    WAR. 

General  Slocum,  on  January  i.S,  turned  Savannah  over  to 
General  Foster,  commanding  the  Department  of  the  South. 
It  was  not  until  the  next  day,  owing  to  the  interposition  of  the 
nonmilitary  problem  mentioned,  the  General  issued  his  first 
general  order  for  the  movement.  In  the  meantime  his  corps 
was  in  motion  toward  the  proposed  rendezvous.  As  a  ruse, 
he  spread  the  report  that  he  would  touch  at  Charleston  or 
Augusta,  neither  of  which  points,  however,  had  any  bearing 
whatever  upon  what  he  planned  to  accomplish. 

CAMPAIGN    IN    THE    CAROLINAS. 
[JAM  AKY  Jl-APKIL  «,  1865.] 

It  was  January  21,  instead  of  15,  as  was  his  plan  had  his 
movements  not  been  delayed,  when  General  SHERMAN  bade 
farewell  to  Savannah  and  sailed  for  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  touching 
at  Hilton  Head  to  give  General  Foster  his  final  orders,  reach 
ing  destination  on  January  23. 

He  found  his  troops  in  position  near  the  head  of  the  Broad, 
as  he  had  ordered,  and  assumed  immediate  command.  General 
Schofield  went  by  sea  to  North  Carolina  with  the  Twenty-third 
Corps.  As  for  the  enemy,  Hardee  was  cooped  up  in  Charles 
ton.  Beauregard  had  come  from  Corinth,  Miss.,  to  take  gen 
eral  command  and  resist  progress,  which  was  about  as  possible 
as  Canute  of  old  sitting  on  the  beach  to  scare  off  a  tidal  wave. 


330  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Skctcli. 

On  February  i  SHERMAN  gave  his  command,  "Advance," 
and  forward  stepped  his  boys  in  blue  to  set  the  seal  of  fate 
upon  rebellion. 

The  personnel  of  the  general  rank  and  formation  of  the 
army  was  practically  the  same  as  when  it  left  Atlanta,  with 
the  exception  that  Major-General  L,ogan,  absent  on  leave,  had 
returned  to  the  command  of  his  Fifteenth  Corps,  and  Force  was 
transferred  to  the  command  of  the  division  of  Leggett. 

The  strength  of  the  army  at  different  periods  of  the  cam 
paign  was: 

February  i 60,  079 

March  I 57,  676 

April  i    Si,  150 

April  ii    88,  948 

And  68  guns. 

The  trains  and  supplies  were  the  same  as  from  Atlanta  to 
Savannah . 

The  enemy  occupied  Charleston  and  Augusta  with  large 
garrisons.  The  restless  and  pugnacious  Wheeler,  with  a  re 
duced  force,  was  playing  the  hornet  on  the  flanks.  General 
Hampton,  from  the  Army  of  Virginia,  was  in  his  native  State 
whooping  up  things  "to  stay  the  progress  of  the  invader"  and 
to  ' '  punish  him  for  the  invasion  of  the  glorious  State  of  South 
Carolina. ' ' 

In  this  effort  he  was  assisted  by  Gen.  M.  C.  Butler,  of  the 
same  State.  Hood  also  was  "hiking"  across  Georgia  to  make 
a  junction  on  SHERMAN'S  front. 

The  strength  of  the  enemy  in  the  field  was  figured: 

Hardee  and  Wheeler 25,  ooo 

Hampton  and  Butler 15,  ooo 


Total 40,  ooo 

This   force   might   be  sufficient  to  make  it    troublesome  to 
cross  some  of  the  great  rivers  on  the  way,  but  nothing  more. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  331 

For  these  emergency  efforts  General  SHERMAN  expressed 
the  most  supreme  contempt,  but  as  to  whether  Lee  would 
remain  to  be  besieged  by  Grant  and  permit  SHERMAN  to  cut  off 
his  supplies  in  the  direction  of  the  Carolinas  was  the  problem 
to  be  solved.  It  was  his  hope  that  Lee  would  make  the 
attempt  to  wrench  himself  from  the  grip  of  Grant,  in  which 
event  SHERMAN  had  it  set  up  to  catch  him  between  Goldsboro 
and  Raleigh. 

To  leave  nothing  to  chance  the  General  arranged  with 
Admiral  Dahlgren  and  General  Foster  to  watch  his  course 
inland  and  provide  points  of  security  along  the  coast. 

GOLDSBORO   THE    OBJECTIVE. 

His  objective  was  Goldsboro,  X.  C.,  a  distance  of  425  miles 
in  one  march,  as  a  point  of  convenience  for  ulterior  operations 
by  reason  of  two  railroads  converging  there  from  \Yilmington 
and  Xewbern,  on  the  coast.  He  calculated  upon  his  army, 
artillery,  and  trains  compassing  that  immense  distance  for  so 
large  an  army  in  the  enemy's  country  within  six  weeks.  The 
region  having  been  cleaned  up  in  the  support  of  Lee's  army, 
trouble  was  anticipated  alxmt  supplies,  but  if  worse  came  to 
worst  he  could  subsist  several  months  on  the  horses  and  mules 
in  the  trains. 

There  was  no  general  order  of  march,  the  target  being  the 
South  Carolina  Railroad,  about  Blackville.  The  first  day  out 
the  enemy  appeared  boldly,  to  disappear  with  little  reluctance. 
On  the  5th  SHERMAN  was  at  Beaufort  Bridge,  where  the  forces 
in  front  put  up  a  slight  resistance,  to  be  brushed  away.  The 
next  day,  5  miles  from  Bamberg,  communication  between 
Charleston  and  Augusta  was  effectually  wrecked.  The  next 
day  a  party  of  foragers  captured  the  South  Carolina  Railroad 
without  waiting  for  the  column  to  get  up.  Such  was  the 
dismay  of  the  enemy  on  the  front.  At  this  point  50  miles  of 


332  Sherman:'  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

road  were  destroyed  beyond  repair  before  the  end  now  certain. 
The  enemy  gathered  himself  for  a  tussel  at  the  crossing  of  the 
Edisto,  but  ran  upon  SHERMAN'S  bristling  bayonets  swinging 
into  sight.  On  the  gth  the  army  reached  Blackville.  The 
next  move  was  to  beat  in  the  sprint  for  Columbia.  Meanwhile 
Kilpatrick  made  a  demonstration  toward  Aiken  to  keep  up  the 
delusion  about  Augusta. 

CROSSING    THE    SOUTH    EDISTO. 
[FEBRUARY  11,  1805.] 

After  crossing  the  South  Kdisto  on  the  iith,  the  general 
march  was  resumed.  Having  passed  the  main  stream  heading 
for  Columbia,  intelligence  was  received  of  a  concentration  from 
Charleston  and  Augusta,  and  from  Virginia.  The  main  army 
was  now  21  miles  from  that  point.  General  Beauregard, 
brought  on  from  Mississippi,  was  in  general  command. 

On  the  1 4th  SHERMAN  lay  on  the  Congaree,  8  miles  below 
his  objective.  The  stream  was  rapid  and  deep,  rendering  pon 
toons  not  impossible,  but  unreliable  as  a  means  of  passage. 

OCCUPATION    OF    COLUMBIA. 
[FEBRUARY  1«-17,  1865.] 

On  the  night  of  the  i6th  SHERMAN  in  bivouac  on  the 
opposite  side  could  see  ..the  lights  of  the  city.  Around  him 
were  the  remains  of  huts  and  holes  of  "Camp  Sorghum," 
where  thousands  of  prisoners  of  the  national  forces  had  been 
held. 

By  skillful  maneuvering  above  and  below,  the  enemy  was 
forced  back,  leaving  the  way  open  to  the  transfer  of  the  main 
body  by  means  of  boats,  the  advance  pushing  to  the  Camden 
and  Winnsboro  road.  The  General  was  promptly  met  by  the 
mayor,  who  formally  tendered  the  surrender  of  the  place  and 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  333 

asked  for  orders.      He  was  relieved  by  an  assurance  of  safety 
for  private  property. 

An  incident  occurred  which  much  touched  the  heart  of  the 
grim  warrior.  Several  escaped  victims  of  the  horrors  of 
southern  military  prison  corrals  pushed  their  way  through 
the  terror-stricken  crowd  into  his  presence,  one  of  the  number 
handing  a  paper  requesting  him  to  read  it  at  his  leisure.  That 
night  in  going  over  the  accumulation  of  such  matters  during 
the  day,  this  document  proved  to  be  the  well-known  song, 
"Sherman's  March  to  the  Sea."  Its  author  was  Adjt. 
vS.  H.  M.  Byers,  of  the  Fifth  Iowa  Volunteers.  The  General, 
pleased  with  the  sentiment  and  lines,  sent  for  Byers,  attached 
him  to  his  staff,  and  gave  him  a  mount.  A  glee  club,  it 
seems,  of  prisoners  in  the  Columbia  camp,  had  become  so 
proficient  that  even  the  ladies,  full  of  hate  in  their  hearts, 
could  not  repress  lending  them  their  ears. 

A    KKMINISCKNCK    OK    FOKMKK    DAYS. 

It  spoke  much  for  the  gallantry  of  the  lieutenant  of  the 
forties  to  find  the  number  of  ladies  along  the  line  of  march 
who  desired  to  renew  his  acquaintance. 

While  walking  through  the  city  of  Columbia  with  the  mayor 
the  General's  quick  eye  rested  upon  a  peaceful  home  with  fine 
flocks  of  chickens  and  ducks  within  the  inclosure.  The  lady 
of  the  house  met  him  as  he  entered;  the  General  remarking: 
' '  Madame,  I  am  pleased  to  notice  our  men  have  not  handled 
your  premises  as  is  their  wont." 

"  I  owe  it  to  you,  General." 

"  Not  at  all." 

"  Oh,  yes;  I  am  indebted  to  you.  You  remember  our  home 
on  Cooper  River  in  1845?  You  gave  me  a  book." 

This  was  a  stunner  to  the  war-battered  veteran. 


334  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch, 

"Here  it  is,"  suiting  the  action  to  the  word. 

Turning  to  the  fly  leaf  lie  read:  "To  Miss  -  -  Poyas, 
with  the  compliments  of  W.  T.  SHERMAN,  first  lieutenant, 
Third  Artillery." 

He  instantly  recalled  the  young  lad}-,  her  fad  for  water 
colors,  and  a  mutual  sentiment  in  that  direction.  He  re 
sponded  with  inquiries  about  her  father,  mother,  and  sisters, 
and  particularly  her  brother,  James,  with  whom  he  used  to 
hunt  on  the  Cooper,  some  40  miles  above  Charleston. 

She  told  her  story.  She  had  heard  frightful  stories  of 
cruelties  and  devastations  committed  along  his  line  of  march 
and  was  in  doubt  whether  the  "bad  man"  was  W.  T.  or 
T.  W.  Sherman,  both  of  whom  were  in  the  Northern  Army. 
When  Hampton  left  she  saw  no  escape  from  this  awful  man. 
So  fortifying  herself  with  this  little  volume,  a  long-treasured 
relic  of  maiden  days,  she  decided  to  prayerfully  await  develop 
ments.  The  "boys"  were  on  hand  and  over  the  fence.  In  a 
jiffy  the  chickens  and  ducks  were  scattering  in  every  direction. 
At  length  a  young  man,  with  a  "fine"  beard,  appearing  to 
have  authority,  entered  upon  the  scene.  In  womanly  despera 
tion  she  appealed  to  him  in  the  name  of  "his  General."  He 
was  familiar  with  that  sort  of  pleading. 

"  What  do  you  know  of  '  Uncle  Billy,'  at  any  rate?  " 

"  When  he  was  a  young  man  he  was  a  friend  in  Charleston, 
and  here  is  a  book  he  gave  me." 

This  was  not  counted  in  his  tactics.  The  young  officer 
looked  it  over,  shouting: 

"Hello,  boys,  here's  something. " 

The  bo)'s,  piling  over  one  another  to  get  a  squint,  sent  up  a 
chorus,  the  officer  leading: 

"That's  so.  That's  Uncle  Billy's  writing.  I  have  seen  it 
before. ' ' 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  335 

A  cessation  of  hostilities  followed.  A  soldier  remained  on 
duty  until  the  provost  guard  arrived. 

"  Was  the  guard  good  to  you?  "  inquired  the  General. 

"A  very  nice  young  man;  he  is  in  the  other  room  minding 
my  baby,  while  I  have  come  out  to  meet  you." 

Take  a  woman  for  quick  wit  in  an  extremity.  Five  minutes 
would  have  rifled  the  premises  before  the  placing  of  the  provost 
guards.  Before  leaving  the  city  the  General  sent  her  a  half 
tierce  of  rice  and  100  pounds  of  ham  from  his  own  mess  stores. 

At  the  same  city  he  met  another  friend  of  happy  days,  a  Mrs. 
Simons,  born  \Vragg,  of  Charleston.  That  night,  her  house 
l>eing  in  danger  from  the  devouring  element,  the  General 
ordered  his  own  train  harnessed  and  conveyed  herself  and 
family  and  possessions  to  his  own  headquarters  to  avoid  the 
danger,  giving  up  his  own  room  and  l>ed. 

It  was  another  quality  of  SHKRMAX'S  make  up.  Xo  matter 
how  much  engrossed  in  great  things,  he  always  had  time  for 
small  ones. 

The  violent  winds  were  sweeping  the  tongues  of  flame  across 
the  city,  cutting  a  swath  of  resistless  destruction.  SHERMAN, 
Howard,  Logan,  and  Woods,  general  officers,  and  an  extra 
division,  were  on  duty  throughout  the  night  to  stay  further 
progress. 

By  3  a.  m.,  the  winds  having  abated,  the  fire  spent  its  energy, 
but  sunrise  revealed  the  heart  of  the  city  in  ruins. 

It  was  afterwards  demonstrated  in  the  international  commis 
sion  on  American  and  British  claims,  under  the  treaty  of 
Washington ,  that  the  burning  of  Columbia  did  not  result  from  any 
act  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States.  It  was  proven 
that  General  Hampton's  cavalry,  before  fleeing  from  the  city, 
set  fire  to  the  enormous  quantities  of  stored  cotton.  The  high 
winds  did  the  rest. 


336  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

In  order  to  meet  the  present  needs  of  the  inhabitants,  the 
General  turned  over  to  the  mayor  500  head  of  prime  cattle  and 
100  muskets  and  ammunition  to  guard  them. 

Among  the  captured  articles  was  a  large  quantity  of  Confed 
erate   scrip,    which   the  soldiers    spent  liberally    and    gambled 
away  not  a  little.      The  dies  were  carried  off,  but  the  machinery 
was  demolished. 

The  1 8th  and  igth  having  been  devoted  to  the  demolition  of 
the  railroad,  the  column  headed  for  Winnsboro,  which  the  left 
wing  reached  on  the  2ist.  The  corps  of  Hood  paralleled  the 
march  without  daring  to  attack. 

CROSSING    THE)    CATAWBA. 
[FEBRUARY  23-25,  1865.] 

A  feint  was  made  on  Charlotte,  where  Beauregard  made 
another  futile  display  of  concentration.  In  the  meantime 
SHERMAN  was  making  for  Fayetteville  with  all  possible  dis 
patch.  At  the  Catawba,  at  Rocky  Mount,  owing  to  the  high 
stage  of  the  river  and  the  difficulty  of  using  his  pontoons,  which 
were  finally  swept  away,  he  was  delayed  a  week  owing  to  the 
Fourteenth  Corps  being  left  on  the  west  bank.  A  part  of  the 
army  halted  at  Hanging  Rock  to  cover  the  final  crossing. 
Hardee  had  escaped  to  Cheraw  in  time  to  get  across  the  Pedee 
before  the  advance. 

It  was  here  learned  of  the  capture  of  Wilmington.  The 
army  was  now  in  position  for  the  first  time  since  leaving 
Savannah  to  communicate  with  the  outer  world. 

All  being  across  the  Catawba  (27th),  the  column  headed  for 
Cheraw,  while  the  cavalry  were  feinting  on  Charleston  and 
Savannah.  The  roads  were  so  cut  up  with  mud,  owing  to  the 
nature  of  the  ground  and  rains,  that  it  was  only  by  means  of 
corduroying  that  progress  was  possible  with  the  artillery  and 
wagons,  and  not  much  better  with  the  infantry. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  337 

CHBRAW. 

[JUKI  II  3,  1H6...J 

OH  March  3  the  army  entered  Cheraw.  The  next  day,  while 
riding  out  of  Chesterfield  with  the  Twentieth  Corps,  seeing  a 
negro  by  the  roadside,  aghast  with  wonder  at  the  cloud  of 
"  Yankee  deliverers,"  the  General  inquired: 

"  Where  does  this  road  lead?" 

"Him  lead  to  Cheraw,  Massa." 

' '  Good  road  ? ' ' 

"Yes,  Massa;  very  good  for  we  'tins." 

"How  far?" 

"Ten  miles,  Massa,  if  you  foots  it;   5  miles  by  mule." 

"Any  guerrillas?  " 

"No,  Massa;  done  gone  two  days;  play  chinquapins  on  the 
coat  tails,  sich  a  hurry." 

The  General  at  the  time  was  on  his  Lexington  mount,  his 
famous  battle  steed. 

The  negro,  transfixed  by  the  immensity  of  things,  was  in  a 
quandary  which  way  to  turn. 

After  a  while,  General  Barry  coming  along,  shouted: 

"  Hallo!   What  are  you  doing  there?" 

"  Dey  say  Massa  SHERMAN  coming  soon.  I'se  waiting, 
'specting  to  see  Massa  SHKRMAN." 

"You  were  just  speaking  to  General  SHERMAN." 

"  De  great  God!  "  exclaimed  the  negro,  falling  on  his  knees, 
"jist  look  at  dat  hoss!"  Lighting  out,  he  soon  overtook  the 
General.  Pulling  up  by  the  side  of  Lexington,  he  trotted 
along  with  wondering  admiration  divided  between  ' '  Massa 
SHERMAN"  and  "dat  hoss." 

In  the  colloquy  which  ensued  the  General  concluded  that 
his  self-constituted  flanker  admired  the  horse  more  than  the 
rider. 


338  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

The  enemy  was  still  confused  and  scattered.  At  Cheraxv 
large  quantities  of  stores  were  taken  and  destroyed.  Having 
carried  his  army  safe  across  the  Pedee,  the  General  breathed 
easier  as  far  as  such  natural  obstructions  as  great  streams  lay  in 
the  way  of  his  progress.  The  Cape  Fear,  he  felt  assured,  was 
in  possession  of  the  United  States  forces. 

WAR    AND    WINE. 

The  day  was  a  soaker.  As  far  as  possible  the  men  kept  under 
cover  while  th'e  destruction  of  public  property,  factories,  and 
railroads  was  going  on.  In  the  meantime  the  officers  indulged 
in  a  little  camp  sociability.  At  one  of  the  corps  headquarters 
the  General,  happening  on  hand,  was  invited  "to  join." 

"Blair,"  said  SHERMAN,  "  this  wine  is  excellent.  Where  did 
you  get  it?" 

"  Do  you  like  it?" 

"I  insist  on  knowing  where  you  got  it.  Anymore  to  be 
had?  This  is  a  rich  man's  luxury,  not  a  poor  man's  necessity." 

"Do  you  wish  some?" 

The  same  day  a  case  of  superb  old  Madeira,  in  bottles, 
cob  webbed  witli  years,  was  dropped  at  military  division  head 
quarters. 

In  nosing  around,  Blair's  men  had  uncovered  about  eight 
wagonloads  of  this  palate-tickling  liquid,  which  was  distributed 
in  fair  proportion  among  the  generals,  officers,  and  men  of  the 
command.  The  article  was  sent  up  from  the  vaults  of  one  of 
the  aristocratic  Palmetto  families  of  Charleston  for  safe-keep 
ing.  Besides  immense  supplies  and  family  articles,  from  other 
cities,  there  were  taken  24  guns,  2,000  muskets,  and  3,600 
barrels  of  powder. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  339 

C ROSSI  NT.    THK    1'KDKK. 

M\I:I  n  «-;.   i...... 

On  the  6th  (March)  the  army  crossed  the  Pedee  and  strung 
out  for  Fayetteville.  Anticipating  concentration  on  his  front, 
the  General  held  his  forces  close  in  hand.  His  old  chieftain  of 
the  enemy,  Joseph  K.  Johnston,  again  in  the  saddle,  seemed 
to  be  going  the  same  way. 

On  the  8th,  from  Laurel,  SHKRMAX  dispatched  two  couriers, 
by  different  routes,  with  ciphers  for  the  "  Commanding  officer 
at  Wilmington,  X.  C.,"  announcing  his  intention  to  reach 
Czoldsboro  by  Sunday,  requesting  a  l>oat  to  l>e  sent  up  the  Cape 
Fear  with  bread,  sugar,  and  coffee,  having  an  abundance  of 
everything  else,  and  to  send  word  to  General  Schofield  to  join 
him  with  his  corps  at  Goldslx>ro. 

As  SHERMAN'S  "boys"  tramped  into  Fayetteville  on  the 
nth,  Hardee  and  Hampton  left  indue  and  undue  haste,  barely 
escaping  falling  into  their  clutches.  The  entire  army  was  now 
around  their  chief. 

AGAIN    IN    TOUCH    WITH    THK    COAST. 

The  next  day,  the  Sabbath,  l)eing  devoted  to  rest,  about  noon 
the  shrill  sound  of  a  steam  whistle  started  every  ear  on  the 
alert.  A  moment  later  shout  upon  shout  followed  along  the 
river  banks.  It  was  the  steamer  from  Wilmington  Harbor. 
SHERMAN,  recalling  the  occasion,  said: 

The  effect  was  electric.  No  one  can  realize  the  feeling  unless,  like  us, 
he  has  been  for  months  cut  off  from  all  communication  with  friends  and 
compelled  to  listen  to  the  croaking  and  prognostications  of  open  enemies. 

The  skipper,  Ainsworth  by  name,  with  a  mail  bag  over  his 
shoulder,  led  the  improvised  parade  to  headquarters.  The 
couriers  from  Laurel  had  arrived  safe,  and  this  was  the  response. 


34-Q  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

General  Terry,  prompt  to  act,  had  started  him  upstream  at  2 
p.  m.  the  day  before. 

The  General,  as  quick  with  his  pen  as  his  sword,  sat  down  to 
his  correspondence  to  be  dispatched  down  the  river  the  same 
evening. 

To  Secretary  Stan  ton  he  wrote  in  part: 

I  have  done  all  I  proposed. 

These  points  were  regarded  as  inaccessible  to  us.  Now  no  place  in  the 
Confederacy  is  safe  against  the  Army  of  the  West.  Let  Lee  hold 

on  to  Richmond  and  we  will  destroy  his  country.  He  must  come  out  and 
fight  us  in  the  open  ground.  For  that  we  must  ever  be  read}'.  Let  him  stick 
behind  his  parapets  and  he  will  perish. 

To  Grant,  giving  the  story  of  the  campaign  briefly  told: 

Our  march  has  been  substantially  what  I  desired. 

I  hope  you  have  not  been  uneasy  about  us,  and  that  the  fruits  of  the 
march  will  be  appreciated. 

If  I  can  now  add  Goldsboro,  I  will  be  in  position  to  aid  you  materially 
in  spring.  Joe  Johnston  may  try  to  interpose,  but  I  will  go  straight  at 
him. 

To  Terry,  indicating  the  supplies  he  desired: 

We  have  swept  the  country  well  from  Savannah  here.  The  people  of 
South  Carolina,  instead  of  feeding  Lee's  army,  will  now  call  upon  Lee  to 
feed  them. 

Have  boats  escorted  and  run  at  night  at  any  risk.  We  must 

not  give  time  for  Joe  Johnston  to  concentrate  at  Goldsboro.  We  can  not 
prevent  _it  at  Raleigh,  but  he  shall  have  no  rest.  Hurry  supplies. 

Every  day  is  worth  a  million  dollars.  I  must  rid  my  army  of 

20,000  to  30,000  useless  mouths. 

I  expect  to  form  a  junction  with  Schofield  at  Goldsboro,  so  as  to  be  ready 
for  the  next  and  last  stage  of  the  war. 

OX    TO    GOLDSBORO. 
[MARCH  13-22,  1865.] 

On  March  13-15  the  Cape  Fear  was  crossed.  The  advance 
on  Goldsboro  began.  The  General  was  prepared  at  any  moment 
for  attack.  Having  unloaded  the  horde  of  refugees,  he  felt 
himself  unencumbered  and  in  shape  for  action.  Johnston  was 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  341 

known  to  have  a  force  of  37,000  men  on  his  left  and  front. 
During'  the  entire  day  the  enemy  resisted  with  infantry,  artil 
lery,  and  cavalrv.  At  Averysboro  (i6th)  Hardee  held  a 
strong  position  in  his  path,  but  was  quickly  turned,  with  the  loss 
of  part  of  a  brigade,  a  battery  of  3  guns,  108  dead,  and  68 
wounded  left  on  the  field.  SHERMAN'S  loss  was  12  officers  and 
65  men  killed  and  477  wounded. 

The  enemy  hastened  toward  Smithfield. 

HOW    HEROES    FEEL. 

In  a  letter  of  February  7  Grant  writes  him: 

I  have  received  your  very  kind  letters,  in  which  you  say  you  would 
decline,  or  are  opposed  to,  a  promotion.  No  one  would  he  more  pleased  at 
your  advancement  than  I;  and  if  you  should  be  placed  in  my  jx>sition  and 
I  put  sul)ordinate,  it  would  not  change  our  personal  relations  in  the  least. 
I  would  make  the  same  exertions  to  support  you  that  you  have  ever  done 
to  support  me,  and  would  do  all  in  my  power  to  make  our  cause  win. 

THE    OBJECTIVE    GAINED — A    BASE    AGAINST    RICHMOND. 
[MAK(  II  »*.  I  MI... 

From  Averysboro  the  General  swung  his  left  wing  eastward 
to  Goldsboro.  On  the  i8th  his  bivouac  was  5  miles  from  Ben- 
tonville  and  27  miles  from  the  former  objective,  as  well  as 
strategic  point.  Supposing  all  danger  passed,  he  crossed  to  his 
left  wing,  to  l^e  near  Generals  Schofield  and  Tern-,  known  to  be 
approaching.  Scarcely  had  he  taken  his  new  post  (igth)  than 
messengers  brought  intelligence  that  Slocum  (left  wing)  had 
butted  against  Johnston's  entire  army.  Ordering  him  to  stand 
fast  for  time,  Slocum  repulsed  all  attacks  and  held  his  ground, 
the  enemy  facing  west.  SHERMAN  meanwhile  came  up  from 
the  east. 

The  next  day  the  enemy  decamped  in  the  direction  of  Smith- 
field,  and  SHERMAN  pursued  his  course  to  Goldsboro,  which  he 
entered  on  the  23d.  His  losses  were  1,604  and  those  of  the 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 23 


342  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

enemy  2,348.  L,ater,  commenting  upon  the  tactical  features  of 
the  field  at  Bentonville,  SHERMAN  conceded  a  great  error  in  not 
overwhelming  Johnston's  army  on  May  21,  when  Mower  broke 
through  his  lines  on  the  extreme  flank,  and  pushing  him  to 
Bentonville  instead  of  ordering  him  back,  fearing  the  enemy 
might  have  made  greater  concentration  than  he  knew. 

It  is  the  only  instance  in  his  military  handling  of  grand  tac 
tics  where  undue  caution  got  the  better  of  his  judgment.  In 
his  own  language: 

I  should  rapidly  have  followed  Mower  with  the  whole  right  wing,  which 
would  have  brought  on  a  general  battle  and  could  not  have  resulted  other 
wise  than  successfully. 

To  make  assurance  doubly  sure — 

he  preferred  to  avoid  a  general  engagement  until  he  had  effected  a  junction 
with  Schofield  and  Terry,  who  were  expected  to  reach  Goldsboro  on  the 
2ISt. 

On  the  23d  and  24th  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  witnessing 
every  part  of  his  army  converged  on  this  point,  as  originally 
designed,  Howard  right,  Slocum  left,  and  the. added  strength  of 
Schofield 's  Twenty-third  Corps  and  Terry's  Second  Division  of 
the  Tenth  Corps.  The  Xewbern  Railroad  was  in  running 
order,  a  locomotive  having  come  through  to  Goldsboro  on  the 
23d,  which  became  the  new  base  for  the  movements  which 
exerted  a  resistless  bearing  upon  the  scenes  of  war,  now  rap 
idly  tending  to  the  capture  or  dispersion  of  the  armies  of  the 
rebellion. 

THE    LONGEST    MARCH    IN    HISTORY. 

At  Goldsboro  ended  one  of  the — 

longest  and  most  important  marches  by  an  organized  army  in  history  in  a 
civilized  country.  From  Savannah  to  Goldsboro  the  route  was  425  miles, 
crossing  five  large  navigable  rivers  (Edisto,  Broad,  Catawba,  Pedee,  and  Cape 
Fear),  each  of  which  with  a  small  force  could  have  made  a  strong,  if  not 
impregnable,  frontal  resistance.  The  country  was  almost  in  a  state  of 
nature,  swampy,  with  mud  roads,  which  had  to  be  corduroyed.  It  cap- 


Sherman:  A  ^fcmorial  Sketch.  343 

tared  the  important  depots  of  Columbia,  Cheraw,  and  Fayetteville,  com- 
I>elled  the  evacuation  of  Charleston,  broke  up  all  the  railroads  in  South 
Carolina,  and  consumed  food  and  forage  for  the  whole  march  of  fifty-five 
days,  marching  10  miles  a  day,  and  arrived  in  perfect  flesh  and  invincible 
spirit — 

with  the  enemy  short  a  large  number  of  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing,  and  timid  and  demoralized. 

ENTERS  THK  THEATER  OK  GRANT'S  OPERATIONS. 

Iii  resuming  his  march  SHERMAN  came  within  the  theater  of 
General  Grant's  operations,  with  no  army  capable  of  delaying 
him,  unless  Lee  should  leave  Richmond,  join  Johnston,  and  meet 
him  alone.  Xow  that  Schofield  and  Terry  had  united  with 
him,  he  was  not  even  fearful  of  that.  General  Grant  before 
Richmond  also  detected  indications  of  the  rapidly  approaching 
crisis. 

In  a  letter,  in  reply  to  SHERMAN'S  of  the  i2th,  reviewing  the 
operations  in  Thomas's  department  and  Sheridan's  famous 
raid,  General  Grant  began  to  let  out  intimations  of  preparations 
for  a  bold  stroke  of  Lee  to  free  himself  from  his  Richmond  trap. 
With  this  in  view,  he  wrote  of  moving  Thomas  to  Bulls  Gap, 
where  he  proposed  he  should  throw  up  fortifications  to  prevent 
Lee  from  falling  back  to  Lynchburg  and  retreating  into  eastern 
Tennessee  and  Kentucky.  There  were  abundant  stores  at 
Knoxville. 

In  furtherance  of  the  plan,  Thomas  was  ordered  by  Grant 
not  to  destroy  any  railroads  west  of  the  Virginia  line,  in  order 
to  l>e  ready  for  a  campaign  against  Lynch  burg,  adding  as  to 
SHERMAN  himself  with  his  back  on  the  coast — 

he  might  feel  safe  against  anything  the  enemy  can  do.  Lee  may  evacuate 
Richmond  but  he  can  not  get  there  in  force  enough  to  touch  you.  His 
army  is  demoralized  and  deserting  fast,  both  to  us  and  to  their  homes. 

On  every  side  he  detected  evidence  of  disintegration. 

On  the  22d  SHERMAN  wrote  Grant  from  Coxs  Bridge,  Xeuse 


344  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

River,  North  Carolina,  taking  a  retrospect  of  his  operations 
since  his  letter  from  Fayetteville  (i4th)  and  mentioning  his 
purpose  to  "organize  three  armies  of  25,000  men  each,  ready 
to  march  to  Raleigh  or  Weldon  by  or  before  April  10. "  The 
next  day  (from  Goldsboro)  SHERMAN  wrote  again,  "I  will,  in 
a  short  time,  be  ready  to  march  against  Raleigh,  Gaston,  Wel 
don,  or  even  Richmond,  as  you  should  determine." 

On  the  24th,  writing  to  Grant  (from  Goldsboro),  he  indicated 
that  he  saw — 

pretty  clearly  how  in  one  or  two  moves  we  can  checkmate  L,ee,  bring  him 
to  unite  Johnston  with  him  in  defense  of  Richmond,  or  abandon  the  cause, 
[He  felt  certain]  if  he  leave  Richmond,  Virginia  leaves  the  Confederacy. 
The  families  (in  Goldsboro)  remain,  but  I  will  gradually  push  them  all 
out  to  Raleigh  or  Wilmington. 

REMINISCENT. 

As  a  diversion  to  the  serious  work  of  the  campaign,  the  War 
Department  arranged  an  event,  emotional  and  patriotic,  by 
(G.  O.,  27,  1865)  ordering  Brevet  Major-General  Anderson,  on 
April  14,  1865,  to  raise  over  the  ruins  of  Fort  Sumter  the  same 
United  States  flag  which  he  ' '  floated  over  the  battlements  dur 
ing  the  rebel  assault  and  which  was  lowered  and  saluted  by 
him  on  April  14,  1861,"  to  be  now  saluted  by  100  guns  from 
Fort  Sumter  and  a  national  salute  from  every  fort  and  former 
rebel  battery  that  fired  upon  it;  also  suitable  ceremonies  were 
to  be  had  under  the  direction  of  Maj.  Gen.  WILLIAM  T.  SHER 
MAN,  whose  military,  operations  compelled  the  rebels  to  evacu 
ate  Charleston.  In  his  absence  General  Gillmore,  commanding 
the  department,  was  to  represent  him.  Rev.  Henry  Ward 
Beecher  was  to  deliver  a  public  address  and  the  naval  forces  in 
Charleston  Harbor  were  to  participate.  General  SHERMAN  was 
too  intent  on  the  grand  culmination  at  Richmond  to  give  atten 
tion  to  these  reminiscent  events. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch,  345 

GIRDING    UP   THE    LINES. 

The  closing  scene  of  the  tread  of  armies  in  the  drama  of  the 
civil  war  in  the  United  States  had  now  been  reached.  The 
raids  of  Sheridan,  under  the  orders  of  Grant,  north  of  the 
James,  on  the  south  side  near  Petersburg,  and  at  Danville  near 
the  Appomattox,  and  Grant  in  person  moving  by  his  left  with 
all  the  force  available,  holding  his  intrenched  lines  to  prevent 
Lee  from  striking  Sheridan  and  prepared  for  ' '  anything  that 
turns  up,"  speedily  brought  matters  to  a  focus. 

To  SHERMAN  he  wrote: 

If  Lee  detaches  I  will  attack;  if  he  conies  out  I  will  repulse  and  follow 
him  up  to  the  best  advantage.  His  force  is  now  estimated  at 

65,000. 

Among  the  movements  on  the  outer  spheres  were  Wilson  oft 
toward  the  west  from  East  Point;  Stoneman  from  Hast  Tennes 
see  toward  Lynchburg;  Thomas  in  motion  to  Bulls  Gap;  Canby 
in  Mobile  and  the  interior  of  Alabama  -  Gillmore  from  Charles 
ton  to  reenforce  Wilmington.  Troops  belonging  to  SHERMAN 
were  being  shipped  to  Xewbern,  adding  5,000  to  those  of  his 
march. 

A    VISIT    TO    CITY    POINT. 

During  the  repair  of  the  railroad  to  Goldsboro,  March  25, 
leaving  Schofield  in  chief  command,  SHERMAN,  accompanied  by 
his  personal  staff,  left  for  City  Point,  by  way  of  Newbern  and 
Morehead  City  on  a  locomotive,  and  Fortress  Monroe  and  up 
the  James  to  City  Point  by  steamer,  arriving  March  27.  Gen 
eral  Grant  received  him  most  gladly. 

The  President  being  there,  the  two  generals  called  and  were 
in  conference  for  several  hours.  Mr.  Lincoln  asked  no  end  of 
questions  about  the  "  great  march  and  plans,"  but  was  decid 
edly  off  his  equanimity  on  account  of  the  General's  absence 
from  his  command.  Xo  amount  of  persuasion  could  influence 


346  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

him  to  the  contrary.  He  felt  encouraged  that  things  had  pro 
gressed  so  well  so  far,  and  did  not  desire  to  take  any  chances  of 
a  backset. 

SOMETHING   OVERLOOKED. 

Upon  returning  to  quarters  the  generals  were  accosted  by 
Mrs.  Grant.  "I  presume,  of  course,  you  saw  Mrs.  Lincoln. 
What  did  she  say?  "  The  pronoun  emphasized. 

The  generals  glanced  at  each  other  inquisitively;  in  fact, 
quizzically. 

"No,"  responded  General  Grant,  rather  demurely;  "I  did 
not  ask  for  Mrs.  Lincoln." 

"I  did  not  know  she  was  abroad,"  chimed  in  General 
SHERMAN. 

"  Well,"  said  Mrs.  Grant,  "you  are  indeed  a  pretty  pair." 

These  were  not  carpet  knights,  yet  she  chidingly  added: 

"Your  neglect  is  without  excuse;  an  unpardonable  breach  of 
etiquette  toward  the  first  lady  of  the  land." 

The  good  lady  might  have  learned  something  different  had  it 
been  a  breach  of  the  enemy's  works. 

The  offenders  promised  to  correct  the  oversight. 

The  next  day,  accompanied  by  Admiral  S.  Porter,  they 
essayed  a  ' '  call  of  etiquette ' '  upon  the  President  and  ' '  the  first 
ladjr  of  the  land." 

The  President  received  the  defendants  in  person,  escorting 
them  to  his  cabin  on  the  steamer. 

After  being  seated,  General  Grant  made  the  first  dash  of 
inquiry  for  Mrs.  Lincoln. 

The  President  struck  for  her  stateroom,  but  returned  instantly, 
laden  with  excuses,  the  most  etiquetical  of  which  was,  "  Mrs. 
Lincoln  begs  to  be  excused,  not  being  well." 

A  President,  a  lieutenant-general,  a  major-general,  and  an 
admiral  looked  as  much  as  to  say,  "  These  women." 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  347 

PARTING    WORDS. 

The  conversation  then  turned  upon  topics  with  which  they 
were  more  familiar — the  military  situation  in  general,  Grant  at 
Richmond,  and  SHERMAN  at  Goldsboro. 

SHKRMAN  said  he  was  strong  enough  to  fight  Lee  and 
Johnston  combined  provided  Grant  came  up  in  a  day  or  two. 
If  Lee  would  remain  in  Richmond  he  could  march  to  Burksville. 
Lee  would  then  starve  inside  or  must  fight  on  equal  terms 
outside. 

Grant  realized  that  one  or  the  other  must  fight  one  more 
fierce  battle,  which  would  be  the  last. 

LINCOLN.   Whether  another  battle  could  not  l>e  avoided? 

GRANT.  That  will  depend  upon  the  enemy. 

SHERMAN.   It  may  fall  upon  me  at  Raleigh;  I  will  Ix?  prepared. 

GRANT.  If  Lee  will  wait  a  few  days  in  an  attempt  to  join 
Johnston  in  North  Carolina,  I  will  be  on  his  back. 

LINCOLN  to  SHERMAN.  Are  you  not  afraid  something  might 
hapj>en  to  your  army? 

SHERMAN.  I  will  return  at  once.  Are  you  ready,  Mr.  Presi 
dent,  for  the  end?  What  is  to  be  done  with  their  armies,  and 
what  with  the  political  leaders? 

LINCOLN.  I  am  ready.  Defeat  the  Confederate  armies  and 
get  the  people  back  on  their  farms.  Davis  ought  to  clear  out, 
"escape  the  country,"  only  I  can  not  say  so. 

Admiral  Porter,  in  1866,  prepared  a  brief  of  this  eventful 
conversation,  which  he  sent  to  SHERMAN. 

It  is  due  to  the  memory  of  Lincoln  and  of  SHERMAN,  in  the 
unpleasant  misunderstanding  which  followed  the  original  SHER 
MAN  terms  to  Johnston,  to  add  from  Porter: 

Mr.  Lincoln,  if  he  had  lived,  would  have  accjuitted  the  General  of  any 
blame,  for  he  was  only  carrying  out  the  President's  wishes.  The  President 
came  to  Citv  Point  with  most  liberal  terms  toward  the  rel>els.  The 


348  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

President  was  excited  and  wanted  peace  on  any  terms.  His  heart  was 
tenderness  throughout.  So  long  as  the  rebels  laid  down  their  arms  he  did 
not  care  how  it  was'  done.  He  assured  SHERMAN  that  he  was  ready  for 
civil  reorganization  as  soon  as  they  laid  down  their  arms  and  resumed  civil 
pursuits,  guaranteeing  all  rights  of  citizenship  and  avoiding  anarchy. 
The  existing  State  governments  wrere  to  be  recognized  until  Congress  pro 
vided  other.  The  President  was  delighted  with  the  terms  to  Lee,  exclaim 
ing,  "  Exactly  the  thing!  "  but  insisted  on  the  surrender  of  Johnston  on 
any  terms. 

During  the  conversation  General  Grant  vigorously  smoked, 
wrapped  in  thought.  SHERMAN  yielded  to  the  President's 
views  wholly,  whatever  might  have  been  his  private  opinions. 

As  SHERMAN  left  them  on  the  gang  plank  of  the  River  Queen, 
at  noon,  March  28,  1865,  the  President's  last  words  were,  "I 
shall  feel  better  satisfied  when  you  are  back." 

About  a  fortnight  later  came  the  tragic  climax. 

In  his  summing  up  General  SHERMAN  said: 

Of  all  the  men  I  ever  met  he  seemed  to  possess  more  of  the  elements  of 
greatness,  combined  with  goodness,  than  any  other. 

THE    FINAL,    ROUND-UP. 

Upon  leaving  General  Grant,  SHERMAN  engaged  to  be  ready 
to  march  northward  April  10.  His  first  act  (March  30)  of 
preparation  was  the  reorganization  of  his  army  to  meet  the 
requirements  of  its  closing  duty  in  the  general  round-up  of 
the  armies  in  rebellion. 

In  outline  his  forces  at  this  time  were  as  follows: 

Right  wing. — Army  of  the  Tennessee,  Maj.  Gen.  O.  O. 
Howard;  Fifteenth  and  Seventeenth  Corps,  7  divisions,  91 
regiments  of  infantry  and  14  batteries;  total,  28,834  men. 

Left  wing. — Army  of  Georgia,  Maj.  Gen.  H.  W.  Slocum; 
Fourteenth  and  Twentieth  Corps,  6  divisions,  96  regiments  and 
12  batteries;  total,  28,063  men. 

Center. — Army  of  the  Ohio,  Maj.  Gen.  J.  M.  Schofield;  Tenth 
and  Twenty-third  Corps,  6  divisions,  69  regiments  of  volunteer 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  349 

infantry,  9  regiments  of  colored  troops,  and  10  batteries;  total, 
26,392  men. 

Cavalry  division. — Brig.  Gen.  J.  Kilpatrick;  3  brigades,  14 
regiments  and  i  battery;  total,  5,659  troopers. 

Grand  total,  88,948  men  and  91  guns. 

This  force  was  composed  of  regiments  representing  the  Stales 
(in  about  this  relation  of  numbers)  of  Illinois,  Indiana,  Ohio, 
Iowa,  Pennsylvania,  Michigan,  Tennessee,  Missouri,  New  Jer 
sey,  New  York,  Minnesota,  Kentucky,  Connecticut,  Massa 
chusetts,  Alabama,  Maine,  and  New  Hampshire. 

FALL   OK    RICHMOND. 

On  April  5,  General  SHERMAN  issued  his  general  orders  for 
the  march  northward,  to  force  Johnston  to  engage  and  close 
up  Richmond.  This  programme,  however,  was  suddenly 
changed  by  the  fall  of  Richmond  and  Petersburg  on  that  very 
day.  Lee's  army  having  fled  toward  Danville  with  Grant  in 
full  pursuit,  SHERMAN,  anticipating  an  attempt  to  effect  a  junc 
tion  with  Johnston's  35,000  men,  dashed  straight  for  Raleigh,  50 
miles  distant,  expecting  to  strike  him  possibly  at  Smithfield. 

On  the  8th  SHERMAN  heard  from  Grant,  dated  the  5th,  at 
Wilson's  Station — 

the  rebel   armies   are   now  the   only   strategic   point   to   strike. 
Lee  has  only  20,000  men  left  and  those  demoralized. 

SHERMAN  replied  he  would  move  on  the  loth,  as  planned, 
for  Raleigh.  On  the  i  ith  he  was  at  Smithfield,  Johnston  hav 
ing  retired. 

CAPTURE    OF    RALEIGH. 
[APRIL  18,  1KB5.] 

As  he  entered  Raleigh  (April  13)  he  received  a  deputation 
from  the  governor  asking  protection.  To  whom  he  replied, 
wishing  the  civil  authorities  to  remain  in  office  until  the 


350  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

President  were  heard  from.  When  he  arrived,  however,  the 
governor  (Vance)  had  "left,"  but  the  others  remained  to 
transact  business. 

All  the  outlying  operations  of  Stoneman  and  Wilson  and 
Sheridan  were  working  to  a  charm. 

FLAG  OF  TRUCE  FROM  THE  ENEMY. 

APRIL  14,   1865. 

During  the  early  morning  of  the  i4th  Kilpatrick,  from  Dur 
ham  Station,  26  miles  toward  Hillsboro,  reported  a  flag  of  truce 
with  a  packet  from  General  Johnston  addressed  to  General 
SHERMAN.  Johnston  asked — 

a  temporary  cessation  of  hostilities,  and  requested  the  communication  to 
be  sent  to  Lieutenant-General  Grant,  commanding  the  armies  of  the 
United  States,  [asking]  that  he  take  like  action  (as  toward  Lee's)  in 
regard  to  the  other  armies. 

General  SHERMAN  replied  from  Raleigh  that  he  was — 

empowered  to  arrange  terms  for  a  suspension  of  hostilities  and  was  will 
ing  to  confer,  both  armies  (his  own  advancing  to  Morrisville)  to  maintain 
their  present  positions,  and  agree  upon  a  basis  on  the  same  terms  as  Grant 
to  Lee  at  Appomattox. 

CONSIDER    TERMS    OF    SURRENDER. 
APRIL  17,   18C5. 

The  next  day  the  two  commanders  met  in  a  house  between 
SHERMAN'S  advance,  at  Durham,  and  Johnston's  rear,  at  Hills 
boro. 

As  SHERMAN  was  about  to  leave  his  headquarters,  it  being 
8  a.  m.,  April  17,  a  dispatch  in  cipher  was  handed  him  announc 
ing  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln .  Giving  orders  to 
withhold  the  startling  intelligence  until  his  return,  he  set  out 
for  Durham,  26  miles,  which  he  reached  at  ro  a.  m.,  on  a 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  351 

locomotive.  With  several  officers  of  his  staff,  and  General 
Kilpatrick  and  escort,  the  General  and  party  advanced  up  the 
Hillshoro  road  5  miles,  Johnston  approaching  from  the  opposite 
direction.  SHERMAN  rode  forward.  The  generals  shook  hands. 
Although  both  had  been  in  the  Regular  Army,  Johnston  1>eing 
twelve  years  SHERMAN'S  senior,  this  was  their  first  meeting. 
Leaving  their  officers  outside,  they  entered  a  farmhouse  nearby. 

The  General  began  by  exhibiting  the  announcement  of  Presi 
dent  Lincoln's  assassination,  watching  its  effect.  He  later 
said:  "Johnston  appeared  in  great  distress.  The  perspiration 
rolled  dowu  his  cheeks  in  great  drops." 

1 '  I  hope  the  crime  will  not  be  charged  to  the  Confederate 
government,"  said  Johnston,  almost  sobbing. 

The  General  assured  him  to  the  contrary  as  to  himself  and 
Lee  or  officers  of  the  Confederate  army,  but  "  I  will  not  say  as 
much  for  Jeff  Davis,  George  Sanders,  and  men  of  that  stripe," 
adding  that  he  had  not  disclosed  the  news  even  to  his  staff,  but 
would  address  his  army  later,  as  the  late  President  ' '  was  very 
dear  to  the  soldiers  and  feared  that  Raleigh  might  share  the 
fate  of  Columbia." 

General  Johnston  proposed  the  terms  should  embrace  all 
the  Confederate  armies,  for  which  he  thought  he  could  get 
authority.  SHERMAN  repeated  his  conference  with  Lincoln, 
but  several  weeks  before,  who  was  not  vindictive  against  the 
armies,  but  had  much  feeling  against  Davis  and  his  jxjlitical 
adherents.  Johnston  admitted  that  the  terms  of  Grant  were 
generous. 

After  these  preliminaries  they  separated. 

Another  meeting  was  held  the  next  day. 

The  same  night,  the  news  of  the  assassination  having  been 
promulgated,  SHERMAN  conferred  with  his  army  and  corps 
commanders,  who  urged  him  to  accept  some  terms  in  order  to 


352  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

prevent  a  dispersion  of  Johnston's  army  and  an  endless  task  of 
gathering  up  the  fragments. 

The  second  conference  was  on.  General  Johnston  gave  assur 
ances  of  authority  to  include  all  the  Confederate  armies  in  the 
terms,  but  should  have  some  understanding  as  to  their  political 
rights  after  the  surrender. 

SHERMAN  recalled  President  Lincoln's  amnesty  proclamation 
of  December  8,  1863,  granting  pardon  to  all  below  the  rank  of 
colonel  laying  down  their  arms  and  taking  the  oath  of  alle 
giance.  As  to  the  case  of  Lee,  the  amnesty  was  universal,  even 
including  Lee. 

THE    ORIGINAL   TERMS    SIGNED. 

It  was  then  SHERMAN  drew  up  the  terms,  as  he  understood 
them  from  the  late  President,  which  would  be  submitted  to  the 
new,  the  armies  to  remain  in  statu  quo.  Handing  the  paper  to 
Johnston,  SHERMAN  remarked:  "  This  is  the  best  I  can  do,  sub 
ject  to  approval  by  higher  authority." 

"  I  accept  the  terms,"  said  Johnston,  "  in  the  spirit  of  kind 
ness  in  which  you  have  tendered  them.  Shall  they  be  signed?" 

The  signatures  of  these  two  commanding  generals  in  the  field 
were  appended.  The  terms  went  forward.  In  the  words  of 
SHERMAN,  later— 

I  cared  little  whether  approved,  modified,  or  disapproved.  All  I  wanted 
was  instructions. 

His  two  best  fighting  and  political  generals,  Logan  and 
Blair,  urged  acceptance  without  reference  to  Washington. 

As  an  aside,  Halleck  wrote  to  SHERMAN,  naming  a  "scamp 
set  up "  to  assassinate  him  in  the  general  massacre  proposed 
by  Booth  and  his  accomplices.  SHERMAN  replied  promptly: 
"Tell  him  he  had  better  be  in  a  hurry  or  he  will  be  too 
late."  He  repeated  Johnston's  assertion,  "President  Lincoln 
was  the  best  friend  the  South  had." 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  353 

To  Grant,  inclosing  the  agreement,  lie  wrote  by  way  of 
comment: 

If  approved  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  it  will  bring  peace 
from  the  Potomac  to  the  Rio  Grande.  It  is  an  absolute  submission  of  the 
enemy  to  the  lawful  authorities  of  the  United  States,  disperses  his  armies 
absolutely,  and  prevents  their  breaking  up  into  guerrilla  bands. 

The  moment  the  agreement  is  approved  I  can  spare  five  corps.  Leaving 
Schofield  here  with  the  Tenth,  I  can  march  north  with  the  Fourteenth, 
Fifteenth,  Seventeenth,  Twentieth,  and  Twenty-third,  via  Burksville  and 
Gordonsville,  to  Frederick  or  Hagerstown,  Md.,  to  be  paid  and  mustered 
out. 

OUTLINE    OF    THE    ORIGINAL   TERMS. 

It  is  well  to  outline  the  terms  of  the  agreement  which 
caused  such  a  commotion,  so  much  misapprehension,  and.  in 
some  instances,  bitter  personal  feeling: 

The  armies  in  statu  quo  until  notice;  forty-eight  hours 
allowed  the  Confederate  armies  to  disband;  to  be  conducted 
to  their  State  capitals  to  deposit  their  arms  and  public  prop 
erty  in  the  State  arsenals;  each  officer  and  man  to  file  an 
agreement  to  cease  from  acts  of  war;  to  abide  the  action  of 
the  State  and  Federal  authorities;  the  number  of  arms  and 
munitions  of  war  to  be  reported  to  the  chief  of  ordnance  in 
the  States  respectively  for  action  of  Congress;  the  recogni 
tion  by  the  Executive  of  the  United  States  of  the  several 
State  governments,  on  officers  and  legislature  taking  the  oath 
prescribed  by  the  Constitution;  reestablishment  of  the  Fed 
eral  courts;  guaranty  of  private  rights,  person,  and  property  as 
defined  by  the  Constitution;  war  to  cease;  general  amnesty,  as 
far  as  the  Executive  authority  can  grant  it,  on  condition  of  dis- 
bandment  of  the  Confederate  armies  and  resumption  of  peaceful 
pursuits  by  officers  and  men  hitherto  composing  said  armies. 

During  the  interim  of  transmission  the  army  was  occupied 
in  repair  of  the  railroad  and  possession  from  Raleigh  to  Wel- 
%  don,  in  the  direction  of  Norfolk. 


354  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

On  the  2oth  the  General  reviewed  the  Tenth  Corps.  This 
was  the  first  time  he  had  seen  black  troops  as  part  of  an 
organized  army. 

DISAPPROVAL  OF  TERMS  OF  SURRENDER — ARRIVAL  OF  GRANT. 

APRIL  24,  1865. 

On  April  24  General  Grant  arrived  with  the  disapproval  of 
"the  terms,"  and  carrying  with  him  orders  to  give  Johnston 
notice  of  a  renewal  of  hostilities  after  the  lapse  of  forty-eight 
hours,  SHERMAN  to  limit  his  operations  to  his  immediate 
command  and  not  to  attempt  civil  negotiations,  but  to  demand 
the  surrender  of  Johnston's  army  on  the  same  terms  granted 
to  L,ee  at  Appomattox  on  April  9,  "purely  and  simply"  to 
resume  the  pursuit  on  the  expiration  of  forty-eight  hours. 

At  6  a.  m.,  on  the  same  day,  General  SHERMAN  sent  to  Gen 
eral  Johnston  his  formal  notice  of  the  cessation  of  the  suspen 
sion  of  hostilities,  forty-eight  hours  after  the  receipt  of  the  same 
at  his  lines. 

This  he  accompanied  with  a  note  of  his  instructions  to  limit — 

operations  to  your  immediate  command  and  not  to  attempt  civil  negotia 
tions.  I  therefore  demand  the  surrender  of  your  army  on  the 
same  terms  as  were  given  to  General  Lee  at  Appomattox,  April  9,  instant, 
purely  and  simply. 

These  communications  were  approved  by  General  Grant. 
The  army  was  notified  of  the  resumption  of  hostilities  as  indi 
cated.  General  Gillmore,  at  Hilton  Head,  and  Wilson,  at 
Macon,  \vere  cautioned  to  the  same  effect. 

The  business  which  brought  Grant  so  abruptly  to  Raleigh 
was  a  dispatch  from  Secretar)7  Stanton,  of  date  April  21,  for 
mally  announcing  the  President's  disapproval  of  the  Sherman- 
Johnston  agreement,  ordering  the  notice  to  be  conveyed  to 
General  SHERMAN  directing  him  to  resume  hostilities,  reiterat 
ing  the  instructions  of  March  3  to  him  by  the  late  President  as 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch  355 

expressing   the   views    of    President    Andrew  Johnson,  which 
were  to  Ixe  observed  by  General  SHKRMAX,  and  concluding: 

The  President  desires  that  you  proceed  immediately  to  the  headquarters 
of  Major-General  SHERMAN  and  direct  operations  against  the  enemy. 

THE    DISPATCH    OF    MARCH    3. 

For  the  first  time  the  dispatch  of  March  3,  1865,  12  in., 
Secretary  Stanton  to  Lieutenant-General  Grant,  received  at  City 
Point,  Va.,  March  4,  1865,  came  to  the  knowledge  of  General 
SHERMAN: 

In  effect  the  President  directs  me  to  say  to  you  [Grant]  that  he  wishes 
you  to  have  no  conference  with  General  Lee  unless  it  be  for  the  capitula 
tion  of  Lee's  army  or  on  solely  minor  and  purely  military  matters.  You 
are  not  to  decide,  discuss,  or  confer  on  any  political  questions.  Such  ques 
tions  the  President  holds  in  his  own  hands,  and  will  submit  them  to  no 
military  conferences  or  conventions. 

Had  a  copy  of  this  dispatch  been  forwarded  to  SHERMAN  at  the 
time  for  his  own  guidance,  the  sequel  to  his  magnificent  marches 
and  battles,  which  had  such  a  direct  bearing  on  events  at  and 
around  Richmond,  would  not  have  been  shrouded  in  the  morti 
fication  of  such  discordant  happenings. 

ADMIRAL  PORTER'S  INTERPRETATION. 

As  a  commentary  upon  the  communication  and  what  it  led  to, 
it  is  but  fair  to  the  memory  of  General  SHERMAN,  thus  acting 
in  the  dark,  and  not  unfair  to  Secretary  Stanton,  to  insert  here 
the  following  explanatory  statements  from  Admiral  Porter's 
"Account  of  the  interview  with  Mr.  Lincoln,"  written  when 
all  the  parties  to  it  except  Mr.  Lincoln  were  living,  General 
Grant  being  present  and  having  opportunity  to  take  cognix.ance 
of  the  statements  set  forth: 

SHKRMAN,  as  a  subordinate  officer,  yielded  his  views  to  those  of  the 
President,  and  the  terms  of  the  capitulation  l>etween  himself  and  Johnston 
were  exactlv  in  accordance  with  Mr.  Lincoln's  wishes.  He  could  not  have 


356  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

done  anything  which  would  have  pleased  the  President  better.  Mr.  Lin 
coln  did  in  fact  arrange  the  (so  considered)  liberal  terms  offered  Gen.  Joseph 
Johnston,  and  whatever  may  have  been  General  SHERMAN'S  private  views 
I  feel  sure  that  he  yielded  to  the  wishes  of  the  President  in  every  respect. 
It  was  Mr.  Lincoln's  policy  that  was  carried  out,  and  had  he  lived  long 
enough  he  would  have  been  but  too  glad  to  have  acknowledged  it.  The 
disbanding  of  Joseph  Johnston's  army  was  so  complete  that  the  pens  and 
ink  used  in  the  discussion  of  the  matter  were  all  wasted. 

It  was  asserted  by  the  rabid  ones  that  General  SHERMAN  had  given  up 
all  that  we  had  been  righting  for;  had  conceded  everything  to  Joseph 
E.  Johnston,  and  had,  as  the  boys  say,  "knocked  the  fat  into  the  fire," 
but  sober  reflection  soon  overruled  these  harsh  expressions  and,  with 
those  who  knew  General  SHERMAN  and  appreciated  him,  he  was  still  the 
"great  soldier,  patriot,  and  gentleman."  General  Grant  evidently  was 
of  the  same  way  of  thinking,  for  although  he  did  not  join  in  the  con 
versation  to  any  extent  yet  he  made  no  objections,  and  I  presume  had 
made  up  his  mind  to  allow  the  best  terms  himself.  He  was  also  anxious 
that  Johnston  should  not  be  driven  into  Richmond  to  reenforce  the  rebels 
there,  who,  from  behind  their  strong  intrenchments,  would  have  given  us 
incalculable  trouble. 

General  Grant  in  his  reply  of  the  2ist  to  the  transmission 
of  the  Sherman-Johnston  agreement,  intimated  having  read  it 
carefully  before  .submission,  and  felt  "satisfied  that  it  could 
not  possibly  be  approved,  as  it  touched  upon  questions  of  such 
vital  importance. ' ' 

He  urged  the  necessity  of  immediate  action  by  the  President 
and  entire  Cabinet.  The  result  was  disapproval,  except  for 
the  surrender  of  Johnston's  army. 

MAKING   THE    RECORD. 

In  this  letter  General  Grant  transmitted  to  SHERMAN  a  copy 
of  an  autograph  letter  he  had  himself  received  from  the 
President,  though  signed  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  in  reply 
to  a  forwarded  one  from  General  Lee,  proposing  to  meet 
him  (Grant)  for  the  purpose  of  submitting  the  question  of 
peace  to  a  convention  of  officers.  Concluding  to  SHERMAN, 
"Resume  hostilities  at  the  earliest  moment  you  can,  acting  in 
good  faith." 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  357 

To  this  General  SHERMAN  replied  at  length,  on  the  25th,  to 
Lieutenant-General  Grant,  "present"  (at  Raleigh),  desiring 
to  record  certain  facts  bearing  upon  his  terms  with  General 
Johnston,  such  as  his  own  Ii1>eral  terms  to  General  Lee  on 
the  gth,  and — 

the  seeming  policy  of  our  Government,  as  evinced  by  the  call  of  the 
Virginia  legislature  and  governor  back  to  Virginia  under  yours  and 
President  Lincoln's  very  eyes. 

It  now  appears  this  last  act  was  done  without  any  consultation  with 
you,  or  any  knowledge  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  or  rather  in  opposition  to  a  pre 
vious  policy  well  considered. 

But  how  should  General  SHKKMAX  know  it  unless  informed? 
In  this  forceful  letter,  the  product  of  a  statesmanlike  compre 
hension  of  all  the  issues  involved,  he  fully  sustains  his  position, 
acting  as  he  did  entirely  upon  his  own  initiative,  in  the  absence 
of  relevant  facts  or  instructions,  and  upon  being  informed  of 
the  wishes  of  the  new  President,  yielding  loyally,  and  receiving 
under  the  modified  terms  the  surrender  of  the  army  which  he  had 
driven  from  post  to  pillar  for  a  distance  of  2,500  miles  through 
an  easily  defensible  country,  without  a  defeat  or  even  a  set 
back. 

In  acknowledging  the  disapproval  of  "the  terms  on  which 
General  Johnston  proposed  to  disarm  and  disperse  the  insur 
gents. "  to  Secretary  Stanton,  General  SHERMAN  frankly 
said : 

I  admit  my  folly  in  embracing  in  a  military  convention  any  civil  mat 
ters,  yet  such  is  the  nature  of  our  situation  that  thev  seem  inextricably 
united.  I  understood  from  you  at  Savannah  that  the  financial  state  of 
the  country  demanded  military  success  and  would  warrant  a  little  tending 
to  policy. 

I  still  believe  the  General  Government  of  the  United  States  has  made  a 
mistake;  but  that  is  none  of  my  business.  '  *  *  I  had  flattered  myself 
that  by  four  years  of  patient,  unremitting,  and  successful  lalx>r  I  deserved 
no  reminder,  such  as  is  contained  in  the  paragraph  of  your  letter  to  Gen 
eral  Grant.  You  may  assure  the  President  that  I  heed  his  suggestion. 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 24 


358  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

x 

JOHNSTON'S  UNCONDITIONAL  SURRENDER. 

APRIL  26,  1865. 

In  the  midst  of  this  epistolary  adjustment  General  Johnston, 
not  knowing  that  General  Grant  was  in  Raleigh,  suggested 
another  meeting  the  next  day,  April  26,  at  noon.  General 
Grant  advised  SHERMAN  to  meet  him,  and  the  acceptance  of 
his  surrender  on  the  same  terms  as  his  with  Lee.  They  met  at 
the  Bennett  House,  beyond  Durham  Station,  as  before.  John 
ston,  without  further  hesitation,  accepted  the  new  terms  of  a 
military  convention  bearing  even  date,  April  26,  1865,  viz: 

All  acts  of  war  on  the  part  of  the  troops  under  General  Johnston's  com 
mand  to  cease  from  this  date. 

All  arms  and  public  property  to  be  deposited  at  Greensboro,  etc. 

The  preparation  of  rolls  of  officers  and  men,  and  giving  of  individual 
obligation,  in  writing,  not  to  take  up  arms,  etc.  Side  arms  of  officers  and 
their  private  horses  to  be  retained  by  them. 

This  being  done,  all  officers  and  men  will  be  permitted  to  return  to  their 
homes,  etc. 

These  were  signed  by  each  general  in  command  and  approved 
by  General  Grant,  who  carried  them  in  person  to  Washington. 
General  SHERMAN  gave  the  necessary  orders  to  carry  the  terms 
into  effect,  General  Schofield  to  have  charge  of  the  details. 

The  supplemental  terms  of  the  convention  of  April  26  simply 
related  to  particulars. 

The  total  number  of  prisoners  of  war  paroled  by  General 
Schofield  at  Greensboro,  N.  C.,  was  36,817. 

Surrendered    to    General   Wilson    in    Georgia   and   Florida, 

52,453- 

Surrendered  under  the  capitulation  of  General  Johnston  to 
General  SHERMAN,  89,270. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  359 

FLIGHT   OF   JEFFERSON    DAVIS    AND    THK    GOLD    FAKK. 

There  seemed  to  l>e  no  end  of  annoyance  to  the  conqueror  of 
Georgia  and  the  Carolinas.  On  the  allegation  of  a  newspaper 
dispatch,  with  the  sanction  of  authority,  it  was  given  out  that 
large  sums  of  specie,  put  as  high  as  $13,000,000,  were  being 
taken  South  by  Jefferson  Davis  and  his  partisans: 

They  hope,  it  is  said,  to  make  terms  with  General  SHKRMAN  or  some 
other  commander  by  which  they  will  be  permitted  with  their  gold  plun 
der  to  go  to  Mexico  or  Europe.  Johnston's  negotiations  look  to  this  end. 

The  imputation  that  he  might  be  bribed  naturally  aroused 
the  most  supreme  indignation.  The  General  regarded  it  as  a 
personal  and  official  insult,  which  he  afterwards  publicly 
resented.  He  also  unburdened  his  thoughts  to  his  ever-sympa 
thizing  friend,  the  Lieutenant- General,  in  a  letter  of  April  25, 
requesting,  in  a  P.  vS. : 

As  Mr.  Staiilon's  most  singular  paper  has  been  published  I  demand  that 
this  also  be  made  public,  though  I  am  in  no  manner  responsible  to  the 
press,  but  to  the  law  and  my  proper  superiors. 

The  millions  of  gold  loot  Davis  was  alleged,  in  the  news 
papers,  to  be  carrying  off,  when  he  was  captured  amounted  to 
barely  $10,000,  part  of  which  was  paid  to  his  (Davis's)  escort 
and  the  rest  turned  over  to  the  Government,  where  it  long  inter 
ested  the  curiosity  of  sight-seers. 

As  the  General  in  calmer  moments  said: 

The  thirteen  millions  of  treasure,  which  would  require  32  six-mule  teams 
to  haul,  with  which  JefT  Davis  was  to  corrupt  our  armies  and  buy  his 
escape,  dwindled  down  to  the  contents  of  a  hand  valise. 

THE    VICTOR'S    MOVE    ON    RICHMOND. 
[APRIL  2S-.UAY  S.  !*«.->.] 

On  April  28  was  held  an  event  at  the  governor's  mansion 
at  Raleigh,  General  SHERMAN'S  quarters,  which  was  not  in  the 
original  programme.  It  was  an  assemblage  of  all  the  army  and 


360  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

corps  commanders,  at  which  the  General  reviewed  the  magni 
tude  and  splendor  of  their  services  to  their  country,  individually 
and  collectively,  explained  his  plans  for  the  future,  and  gave 
orders  for  their  execution.  Schofield,  Terry,  and  Kilpatrick 
were  to  remain  on  duty  in  the  Department  of  North  Carolina, 
to  be  commanded  by  General  Schofield.  The  right  and  left 
wings  were  to  march  under  their  respective  commanding 
generals  by  easy  stages  to  Richmond,  Va.,  to  await  his  own 
return  from  the  South,  whither  he  went  the  next  day  (April 
29)  to  make  final  disposition  of  all  military  business  connected 
with  that  section  of  country. 

In  the  course  of  his  trip  he  visited  Charleston,  passing  Fort 
Moultrie,  the  scene  of  his  garrisoii  duty  as  a  lieutenant  in  the 
forties. 

On  May  8  he  arrived  at  Fortress  Monroe  and  telegraphed  to 
General  Grant,  asking  for  orders.  He  continued  to  City 
Point,  and  on  to  Manchester,  opposite  Richmond,  where  his 
army  was  in  camp,  in  fine  trim,  after  its  march  of  about  210 
miles  from  Raleigh. 

ON    TO   WASHINGTON. 
[MAY   10-20,   1K65.] 

On  May  10  he  received  orders  to  continue  the  march  to 
Alexandria,  Va.,  near  Washington,  D.  C.,  about  105  miles. 
The  march  began  by  the  entire  army  parading  through  the  late 
Confederate  capital  out  on  the  Hanover  road.  On  the  way  the 
General  took  opportunity  to  visit  the  great  battlefields  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  Hanover  Court  House,  Spottsylvania, 
Fredericksburg,  Dumfries,  Chancellorsville,  New  Market, 
Manassas,  and  Bull  Run,  where  he  had  his  baptism  of  fire, 
reaching  Alexandria  on  May  19  and  20.  His  army  went  into 
camp  on  the  road  about  half  way  between  Alexandria  and  the 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  361 

Bridge.  The  Army  of  the  Potomac,  under  General 
Meade,  was  encamped  alxjve,  opposite  Washington  and 
Georgetown. 

The  next  day,  by  invitation,  the  General  called  upon  the 
President  (Johnson)  and  General  Grant. 

The  former  "was  extremely  cordial"  and  disclaimed  any 
knowledge  of  "the  two  war  bulletins"  till  he  had  seen  them  in 
the  newspapers.  Xor  had  any  of  his  associates  in  the  Cabinet 
seen  them.  These  facts  greatly  relieved  the  tension  which  had 
cast  a  gloom  over  the  closing  events  of  the  remarkable  military 
achievements  of  this  valiant  defender  of  the  Union. 

THE    GRAND    RKVIKW — FINAtK. 
[MAY  '-'4.  1S65.) 

On  May  18  was  issued  the  special  order  for  a  grand  review 
of  the  two  great  armies  of  the  Potomac  under  General  Meade 
on  the  23d,  and  of  the  combined  armies,  under  SHERMAN,  on 
the  24th. 

During  the  night  preceeding  SHERMAN  transferred  his  entire 
force — Fifteenth,  Seventeenth,  and  Twentieth  Corps — across 
Long  Bridge  and  went  into  bivouac  in  the  streets  around  the 
Capitol,  the  Fourteenth,  closing  up  from  its  old  camp  to  a  point 
near  the  bridge,  prepared  to  cross  and  follow  as  the  column 
advanced. 

It  was  a  beautiful  spring  day,  such  as  is  common  in  the  lati 
tude  of  the  capital  in  May.  The  city  was  thronged  with  peo 
ple,  many  of  whom  had  come  from  long  distances  to  witness 
the  pageant,  which,  in  the  goodness  of  things,  might  never  be 
repeated.  The  multitude  had  not  only  gathered  along  the  line 
of  march,  but  at  every  point  of  vantage,  windows,  balconies, 
and  even  tree  boxes  and  housetops. 

At  9  a.  m.,  as  the  reverberations  of  the  signal  gun' vibrated 


362  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

over  the  city,  SHERMAN,  the  conqueror,  attended  by  General 
Howard  and  their  staffs,  took  his  place  at  the  head  of  his 
65,000  veterans  who  had  swept  the  continent  from  Vicksburg 
to  Meridian,  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta,  Atlanta  to  Savannah, 
Goldsboro  to  Richmond,  and  Richmond  to  Washington,  nearly 
2,800  miles.  No  other  conqueror  of  history  had  ever  made 
such  a  march. 

In  his  own  words,  from  the  site  where  now  stands  his  image 
in  heroic  bronze: 

When  I  reached  the  Treasury  building  and  looked  back  the  sight  was 
simply  magnificent.  The  column  was  compact,  and  the  glittering  mus 
kets  looked  like  a  solid  mass  of  steel,  moving  with  the  regularity  of  a 
pendulum. 

As  the  column  moved  onward,  passing  the  Treasury  building 
and  the  President's  house,  from  the  stands  which  lined  both 
sides  of  the  great  thoroughfare  the  might}-  hosts  of  spectators 
sent  up  cheer  upon  cheer.  At  the  windowT  of  his  residence, 
looking  out  upon  the  moving  scene,  sat  the  Secretary  of  State, 
Mr.  Sewarcl,  still  bandaged  for  the  wounds  he  had  received  at 
the  hand  of  an  assassin.  Catching  a  sight  of  the  venerable 
statesman  the  General  lifted  his  hat  in  salute,  receiving  in 
return  a  wave  of  welcome. 

In  passing  the  President's  stand  the  sword  sheathed  in  vic 
tory  was  now  drawn  in  salute.  The  President,  Cabinet,  en 
voys  and  plenipotentiaries  of  the  nations,  justices,  all  rose  to 
send  up  a  wild  shout  of  plaudit  to  the  heroes  of  the  West. 

Then  leaving  the  head  of  his  column,  the  General  joined  the 
distinguished  group  011  the  dais  of  the  President.  After  his 
first  greeting  to  his  wife,  foster  father  (General  Ewing),  and  son, 
he  was  given  an  ovation  of  felicitation  by  the  President,  Gen 
eral  Grant,  members  of  the  diplomatic  corps,  and  others  there 
gathered.  It  was  a  crowning  moment.  Invited  to  a  place  on 
the  left  of  the  President,  he  stood  for  six  and  one-half  hours 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  363 

looking  out  upon  the  men  who  had  contributed  to  his  triumph 
and  the  perpetuity  of  the  nation. 

In  the  meditations  of  his  Memoirs  he  says: 

It  was  in  my  judgment  the  most  magnificent  army  in  existence — 65,000 
men,  in  splendid  physique,  who  had  just  completed  a  march  of  nearly 
2,000  miles  in  a  hostile  country,  in  good  drill,  and  who  realized  that  they 
were  l>eing  closely  scrutinized  by  thousands  of  their  fellow-countrymen 
and  by  foreigners.  [The  actual  number  of  miles  is  nearer  2,800,  includ 
ing  detached  movements  of  his  armies.] 

After  each  corps  and  division  passed  its  commander  joined 
the  reviewing  party  and  was  presented  to  the  President. 
Again  with  pride  said  the  General: 

The  steadiness  and  firmness  of  the  tread,  the  careful  dress  on  the  guides, 
the  uniform  intervals,  all  eyes  directly  to  the  front,  and  the  tattered  and 
battle-worn  flags  all  attracted  universal  notice.  Many  good  people  up  to 
that  time  had  looked  upon  our  Western  army  as  a  mob;  but  the  world 
then  saw  and  recognized  that  it  was  an  army  well  organized,  well  com 
manded,  and  disciplined;  and  there  was  no  wonder  it  had  swept  through 
the  South  like  a  tornado. 

There  was  a  comedy  side  to  this  scene  of  triumph.  Xot  a 
few  of  the  divisions  had  still  with  them  reminders  of  the  march 
through  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas  in  goats,  milch  cows,  and 
pack  mules  laden  with  game  cocks,  foraged  poultry  and  teams, 
and  families  of  "  contraband  "  negro  men,  women,  and  children, 
who  held  their  old  places  in  the  procession.  Another  feature 
was  the  negro  pioneers  at  the  head  of  each  division  armed  with 
picks,  bars,  axes,  and  spades. 

In  every  respect  the  "  grand  review  "  was  a  dramatic  finale 
and  "drop"  worthy  of  the  last  campaign  of  the  civil  war. 

FIELD   ORDERS    AND    FAREWELL. 
[HAY  80,  1H65.] 

In  Special  Field  Order,  No.  76,  Headquarters  Military 
Division  of  the  Mississippi  in  the  Field,  Washington,  D.  C., 
May  30,  1865,  General  SHERMAN  in  thrilling  terms  bade  farewell 
to  his  veterans,  thus  ending  his  connection  with  the  civil  war. 


364  Sherman:  A  Memorial  SkctcJi. 

On  July  4  following,  at  Louisville,  Ky. ,  he  took  a  more  formal 
leave,  the  corps  of  his  late  arm}-,  Fourteenth,  Fifteenth,  Six 
teenth,  and  Seventeenth,  under  command  of  Gen.  John  A. 
Logan,  having  been  transferred  to  that  point  for  "muster  out  " 
or  "further  orders." 

On  July  20,  1865,  at  a  banquet  in  his  honor  at  St.  Louis, 
the  General  reviewed  the  progress  of  the  war  from  the  incep 
tion  of  the  operations  in  the  middle  zone  until  their  complete 
triumph  at  Atlanta,  Savannah,  Columbia,  and  Goldsboro.  He 
gave  St.  Louis  credit  as  the  place  where  these  operations  had 
their  birth. 

PEACE    DUTIES — THE    PACIFIC    RAILWAYS. 

[186r>-18«(i.] 

In  the  division  of  the  territory  of  the  United  States  (June  27, 
1865)  into  departments  and  military  divisions  the  Military 
Division  of  the  Mississippi  (later  of  the  Missouri )  was  assigned 
to  General  SHERMAN,  with  headquarters  at  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
he  going  there  on  July  16.  This  included  in  part  the  States 
and  Territories  north  of  Texas  as  far  west  as  the  Rocky 
Mountains. 

The  busy  brain  of  the  General  at  once  turned  to  the  construc 
tion  of  the  two  Pacific  railways,  Union  and  Central,  which  had 
been  chartered  by  Congress  in  the  midst  of  the  great  war  and 
were  then  in  course  of  construction.  He  naturally  put  himself 
in  communication  with  the  leaders  in  the  work  and  was  present 
at  the  ceremonies  attending  the  first  completed  division  of  16^ 
miles,  from  Omaha  to  Papillon.  On  this  occasion  the  General 
might  well  have  held  himself  the  pioneer  in  transcontinental 
railway  promotion,  as  he  had  to  his  credit  his  California 
experience,  when  he  was  the  first  to  conceive  the  plan, 
subscribed  $10,000  to  start  it,  and  engineered  and  celebrated 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  365 

as  vice-president  the  completion  of  22^2  miles  of  the  same  road 
eastward  of  Sacramento,  which  was  the  real  beginning  of  the 
Central  Pacific  Railroad. 

The  explorations  of  Dodge  in  1853  naturally  gave  him  pre 
eminence  in  the  preparatory  work  of  survey.  In  1*63-64  these 
were  continued  under  the  patronage  of  the  General  Government. 
Iji  1866  the  country  was  systematically  occupied,  and  every  mile 
of  digging,  filling,  bridging,  tracking,  and  running  was  accom 
plished  within  range  of  the  musket. 

In  order  to  facilitate  operations  on  the  main  lines,  at  the  sug 
gestion  of  General  SHERMAN  the  President  (March  5,  1866) 
constituted  the  new  Department  of  the  Platte  as  a  protection  to 
the  working  parties,  and  subsequently  the  Department  of  Da 
kota  for  the  same  purpose  in  connection  with  the  Northern 
Pacific  Railroad. 

In  May,  I.S66,  from  his  headquarters  at  St.  Louis.  General 
SHERMAN  wrote  to  Dodge: 

I  consent  to  your  going  to  Omaha  to  begin  what  I  trust  will  be  the  real 
beginning  of  the  great  road. 

This  officer,  after  the  capture  of  Atlanta,  was  assigned  to 
a  separate  department,  which  brought  the  country  between 
the  Mississippi  River  and  California  under  his  command  for 
operations  against  the  Indians  in  1865-66.  During  this  time 
he  discovered  the  most  available  defile  through  the  Black  Hills, 
8,236  feet  high,  which  he  named  "Sherman  Pass"  in  honor  of 
his  former  chief. 

As  far  back  as  1859  WILLIAM  T.  SHERMAN,  an  obscure 
officer  in  the  sense  of  fame,  wrote  to  his  brother,  then  in  the 
lower  House  of  Congress,  pressing  the  necessity  of  a  trans 
continental  railway,  using  these  portentous  words: 

It  is  a  work  of  giants.  Uncle  Sam  is  the  only  giant  I  know  who  can  or 
should  grapple  the  subject. 


366  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

While  in  command  of  the  vast  savage  region  through  which 
the  road  was  progressing,  at  the  muzzle  of  the  musket,  again 
writing  to  his  brother,  he  adds  force  to  his  argument: 

So  large  a  number  of  workmen  distributed  along  the  line  will  introduce 
enough  whisky  to  kill  off  all  the  Indians  within  300  miles  of  the  road. 

General  SHERMAN  lived  to  see  the  realization  of  his  earliest 
anticipations,  not  only  in  the  completion  of  the  Union  and 
Central  Pacific  railroads,  but  of  five  transcontinental  lines  in 
operation,  the  last  the  Canadian  Pacific.  In  commenting  upon 
the  latter,  over  which  he  traveled  in  1886,  he  refers  to  his 
amazement  when  he  discovered  that  its  president  was  one  of  his 
own  railroad  experts,  a  major  on  the  lines  between  Nashville  and 
Atlanta,  adding,  humorously:  "  They  now  talk  of  making  him 
a  duke.  He  can  hold  his  own  with  any  duke  I  have  thus  far 
encountered.  Anyhow,  he  acted  like  a  prince  to  me." 

This  field  of  development,  an  empire  in  dimensions,  afforded 
the  opportunity,  in  the  mind  of  SHERMAN,  of  expansion  for 
the  1,510,000  men  on  the  muster  rolls,  of  which  797,807  were 
able-bodied  and  present,  of  the  late  Union  armies,  man)-  of 
whom  chose  to  continue  the  erratic  habits  of  the  soldier.  As 
they  represented  every  vocation — professional,  mechanical,  and 
manual — it  was  a  .splendid  element  to  man  the  advance  of  civili 
zation  westward.  The  Commonwealths  which  to-day  comprise 
within  their  borders  this  vast  area  had  their  pioneers  and  much 
of  their  first  population  from  these  veterans  of  the  civil  war. 

ON    A    STRANGE    MISSION. 

[1866.] 

In  the  fall  of  1866,  while  in  New  Mexico,  SHERMAN  received  a 
message  to  come  to  Washington.  Upon  arrival  and  report  to 
General  Grant  he  was  informed  of  a  desire  of  the  President  to 
see  him.  The  President  had  ordered  General  Grant  to  escort 


Shcnnan:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  367 

the  United  States  minister  to  the  court  of  Juarez,  the  President 
elect  of  Mexico.  The  country  was  still  occupied  by  the  French 
and  the  "Emperor"  Maximilian.  General  Grant,  who  was 
opposed  to  the  French  invasion,  denied  the  right  of  the  President 
to  order  him  on  a  diplomatic  mission  unattended  by  troops. 
Therefore  he  proposed  to  disobey  the  order  and  abide  the  con 
sequences;  he  also  regarded  it,  in  his  own  words,  "as  a  scheme 
to  get  rid  of  him." 

As  intermediary,  SHERMAN  had  his  celebrated  interview  with 
the  President,  informing  him  that  General  Grant  would  not  go, 
cautioned  him  against  a  quarrel,  and  relieved  the  tension  by 
consenting  to  go  instead. 

"Certainly,"  answered  the  President,  "if  you  will  go  that 
will  answer  perfectly." 

His  assignment  to  that  duty  was  by  the  President,  dated 
October  30,  1866.  On  November  10  the  envoy  and  the  Gen 
eral  put  to  sea  on  the  U.  S.  S.  Susquchanna,  arriving  at  Vera 
Cruz  on  the  29th.  Bazaine  was  still  in  the  City  of  Mexico 
with  28,000  French  troops.  Unable  to  find  the  Mexican 
republican  government,  the  envoy  and  the  General  went  in 
search  of  it  up  the  coast.  After  many  difficulties  of  naviga 
tion  and  discovery,  it  finally  turned  up,  it  was  supposed,  at 
Monterey,  where  the  minister  was  to  be  received  in  pomp. 
Thither  he  proceeded.  The  Susqnchanna ,  with  General  SHER 
MAN  on  board,  sailed  for  New  Orleans,  arriving  December  20, 
whence  the  General  reported  to  General  Grant,  and  received 
orders  from  Secretary  Stanton  to  proceed  to  St.  Louis.  These 
orders  were  accompanied  by  an  entire  approval  by  the  Presi 
dent,  Cabinet,  and  Department  of  his  "proceedings  in  the 
special  and  delicate  duties  assigned  him." 

The  United  States  minister  in  person,  bag  and  baggage,  put 
in  an  appearance  at  New  Orleans  two  days  later,  ' '  generally 
disgusted,  as  he  had  not  found  President-elect  Juarez"  at  all. 


368  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

A    TROUBLESOME    SITUATION. 
[1868.] 

Out  of  this  experience,  for  reasons  well  understood  at  the 
time,  grew  the  contentions  which  followed,  in  which  the  Presi 
dent,  General  Grant,  and  the  Secretary  of  War  became 
involved.  General  SHERMAN  ' '  by  Christmas  was  back  in 
St.  lyouis,"  doing  his  best  to  keep  out  of  the  vortex,  in 
which,  however,  he  failed. 

In  January,  1868,  he  was  again  in  Washington  as  member 
of  a  board  ordered  to  compile  a  code  of  articles  of  war  and 
army  regulations,  with  Sheridan  and  Auger  as  associates.  In 
his  efforts  to  cast  oil  on  the  troubled  waters,  SHERMAN  sug 
gested  to  the  President  the  nomination  of  Gen.  J.  D.  Cox, 
governor  of  Ohio,  in  place  of  Secretar)7  Stanton.  In  the  mean 
time  the  latter  had  resumed  possession  of  his  office  of  Secretary. 

After  the  exchange  of  much  correspondence,  many  orders, 
and  a  proportionate  quota  of  ill  feeling,  SHERMAN,  now  at 
St.  lyouis,  received  a  personal  order  of  the  President,  Feb 
ruary  19,  1868,  as  "your  assignment  to  a  new  military  division 
seems  so  objectionable,  you  will  retain  your  present  command." 

On  the  same  day  Adjt.  Gen.  lyorenzo  Thomas  was  appointed 
to  be  Secretary  of  War  ad  interim,  which  eventuated  in  articles 
of  impeachment  and  the  trial  of  President  Johnson  before  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States.  General  SHERMAN  was  a  witness, 
but  being  restricted  to  facts  set  forth  in  the  articles  and  not  to 
opinions  of  the  motives  or  intention  of  the  accused  he  knew 
nothing.  The  result  was  the  acquittal  of  the  President,  resig 
nation  of  Mr.  Stanton,  and  nomination  and  confirmation  of 
General  Schofield,  SHERMAN'S  old  commander  of  the  Army  of 
the  Ohio,  "Thus,  "says  SHERMAN,  "putting  an  end  to  what 
ought  never  to  have  happened  at  all." 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  369 

INDIAN    1'KACK    COMMISSIONER. 

The  President  named  Lieut.  Gen.  \V.  T.  SHERMAN  as  first 
member  of  the  Indian  Peace  (mixed)  Commission,  under  act 
July  20,  1867.  which  traveled  much  throughout  the  entire  then 
Indian  wilds,  had  much  talk  with  chiefs  of  all  sizes,  and  con 
cluded  on  an  Indian  reservation  and  maintenance  system  apart 
from  the  two  great  railroads.  Their  efforts  opened  the  way  to 
the  hastening  progress,  in  the  course  of  time  and  tide,  in  the 
course  of  empire  westward. 

On  the  jth  of  November,  i86«S,  General  Grant  was  elected 
President  of  the  United  States.  On  the  I5th  and  i6th  of  the 
following  month  the  societies  of  the  great  armies  of  the  West— 
Cumberland,  Tennessee,  and  Ohio — met  in  joint  reunion  at 
Chicago.  It  was  an  affair,  in  brilliancy  and  numbers,  worthy 
of  the  occasion.  The  President-elect,  the  earliest  of  their 
commanders,  honored  the  affair  with  his  presence,  as  did 
upward  of  2,000  officers,  from  military  division,  army,  and 
corps  commanders  down  to  second  lieutenant  file  closers. 
SHKRMAN  says  Grant,  the  "silent  man,"  on  these  occurrences 
became  very  gossipy,  l>eing  very  fond  of  telling  stories  of  early 
army  life  and  the  men  and  things  whom  he  had  seen. 

MOUNTING    A    HOBBY. 

One  day  at  Washington,  before  his  inauguration,  during  a 
drive,  the  President  (Grant)  broke  out:  "SHERMAN,  what 
special  hobby  do  you  intend  to  adopt?"  SHERMAN,  who  was 
thinking  upon  something  profound,  nonplussed  at  the  discon 
nection  of  the  inquiry,  replied:  "  General,  what  do  you  mean?" 

"All  men  have  their  weaknesses,  their  vanities.  It  is  wiser 
to  choose  one's  own  than  to  permit  the  newspapers  to  invent 
one  less  acceptable.  I  have  chosen  the  horse.  So  when  any 
one  tries  to  pump  me  I  shall  answer  back  in  'horse.'  ' 


37°  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

"Well,  that  being  your  choice,"  said  his  great  lieutenant, 
' '  I  think  I  shall  stick  to  the  theater  and  balls.  I  have  always 
enjo3red  seeing  young  people  happy  and  do  not  object  to  taking 
a  hand  or  a  step  myself. ' ' 

Grant,  laughing  heartily,  said:  "I  would  like  to  see  you  at 
it.  Right  flank,  file  left,  march,  forward." 

"Yes,"  said  SHERMAN,  "but  not  backward.  I  used  to  be 
great  on  the  waltz,  but  I  have  marched  so  much  of  late  I  am 
reduced  to  the  ordinary  cotillion." 

IN    COMMAND    OF    THE    ARMIKS    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

[1869.] 

On  the  day  of  the  inauguration  of  General  Grant,  General 
SHERMAN  succeeded  as  General  of  the  Army.  By  order  of 
the  President,  on  the  day  after,  the  method  of  business  of  the 
Department  was  explicitly  defined.  General  Rawlins,  former 
chief  of  staff  to  General  Grant,  was  now  Secretary  of  War. 
This  order  finally  resulted,  in  the  phrasing  of  SHERMAN,  in 
"the  old  method  in  having  a  double,  if  not  treble,  headed 
machine,"  which  was  the  reverse  of  what  the  President  when 
General  wanted.  In  the  words  attributed  to  Napoleon,  but  as 
old  as  Alexander,  "  Two  armies  with  a  single  inefficient  com 
mander  is  better  than  one  with  two  able  ones. 

In  the  selection  of  a  successor  to  the  deceased  Rawlins, 
General  SHERMAN  urgently  pressed  the  name  of  Gen.  Gren- 
ville  M.  Dodge,  of  Iowa,  chief  engineer  of  the  Union  Pacific 
Railroad.  President  Grant  was  most  earnestly  in  his  favor, 
knowing  him  as  one  of  the  most  efficient,  skillful,  and  bravest 
of  the  old  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  and  w^ould  have  nominated 
him  had  he  not  been  of  greater  importance  to  the  completion  of 
the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  with  which  the  Secretary  of  War 
necessarily  had  large  transactions. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  371 

\    TorK    ABROAD. 

On  November  11,  1871,  the  General,  as  the  guest  of  Rear- 
Admiral  Alden,  accompanied  by  his  aids,  Colonel  Auclenreid  and 
Lieut.  Frederick  D.  Grant,  sailed  on  the  frigate  Tfo&wA,  flagship 
of  the  European  Squadron.  Landing  at  Gibraltar,  he  made  the 
tour  of  Spain  and  France  to  Nice,  where  he  rejoined  the  Walxtxh. 
Thence  he  visited  coast  and  inland  places  of  Italy,  Messina,  and 
Syracuse.  Thence  by  steamer  to  Malta,  Egypt,  Constantinople, 
the  Crimea,  Tiflis,  and  by  carriage,  600  miles,  to  Taganrog  on 
the  Sea  of  Azof.  From  thence  he  continued  by  rail  to  Moscow 
and  St.  Petersburg.  After  "seeing"  the  interior  of  Europe, 
England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland  he  sailed  for  home  September 
7.  arriving  safe  at  Washington  September  22,  1872.  At  every 
point  he  was  met  with  military  distinction,  his  wonderful 
marches  and  battles  being  well  known  and  admired  by  the  mili 
tary  heroes  and  students  of  the  Old  World. 

HEADQUARTERS    TROUBLES. 

[1874-1884.1 

As  the  Secretary  of  War  (  Belknap)  was  exercising  all  the 
functions  of  commander  in  chief,  the  General  determined  to 
return  to  St.  Louis,  the  city  for  which  he  always  expressed  a 
preference. 

On  September  2,  1874,  with  the  assent  of  the  President  and 
at  the  request  of  the  General,  the  headquarters  of  the  armies 
of  the  United  States  were  established  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. ,  to  take 
effect  in  October,  where  he  settled  in  his  own  house.  As  the 
General  said: 

Though  we  went  through  with  the  forms  of  "command,"  I  realized 
that  it  was  a  farce,  ami  it  did  not  need  a  prophet  to  foretell  it  would  end 
in  a  tragedy. 


372  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

It  so  seemed  in  March,  1876,  when  the  Belknap  sutler  sales 
came  into  the  open.  Upon  the  insistence  of  Judge  Alphonso 
Taft,  the  new  Secretary  of  War,  by  order  of  April  6,  "the 
Headquarters  of  the  Arm)- ' '  were  ' '  reestablished  at  Washington 
City. ' ' 

From  1876  to  1884,  under  Secretaries  Taft,  Cameron,  Mc- 
Crary,  Ramsey,  and  Lincoln,  SHERMAX  always  spoke  of  his 
relations  as  most  "intimate  and  friendly." 

RETIRES    FROM    ACTIVE    DUTY. 

[1884.] 

On  the  8th  da}'  of  February,  1884,  he  would  reach  the  age 
of  compulsory  retirement.  Being  still  within  the  limits  of 
optional  retirement,  he  determined  to  avail  himself  of  a  more 
clement  season  of  the  year,  therefore  fixing  November  i,  1883, 
as  the  date  proposing  to  resume  his  residence  at  St.  Louis. 
Before  thus  closing  his  association  with  the  activities  of  mili 
tary  life  he  made  a  tour  of  the  continent,  beginning  at  Buffalo 
on  June  21,  going  to  the  Pacific  coast  b}7  the  northern  route 
and  returning  by  the  thirty-fifth  parallel,  ending  at  St.  Louis 
September  30,  1883. 

He  made  arrangements  so  that  his  aids-de-camp,  "who 
had  been  so  faithful  and  true,"  should  not  suffer  by  his  act. 
On  the  27th  day  of  October  he  submitted  to  the  Secretary  of 
War  his  last  annual  report,  a  most  valuable  treatise,  embracing 
an  account  of  the  "Conception,  progress,  and  completion  of  the 
four  great  transcontinental  railways,  for  1113-  agency  in  which," 
said  the  General,  "I  feel  as  much  pride  as  for  my  share  in 
any  of  the  battles  in  which  I  took  part." 

On  November  i,  under  orders,  the  command  of  the  Army 
of  the  United  States  passed  from  Gen.  W.  T.  SHERMAN  to 
Lieut.  Gen.  P.  H.  Sheridan. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  373 

On  the  8th  of  February,  1884.  the  President,  in  a  formal 
order,  published  to  the  Army,  appropriately  announced  the 
retirement  "without  reduction  in  his  current  pay  and  allow 
ances"  of  its  "distinguished  chief"  with  "mingled  emotions 
of  regret  and  gratitude." 

To  which,  on  the  next  day,  from  St.  Louis,  he  replied. 

REFUSES    A    PRESIDENTIAL    NOMINATION. 

As  the  time  for  the  national  convention  of  1884  approached, 
the  name  of  General  SHERMAN  was  in  all  mouths  for  the  Repub 
lican  nomination.  His  great  captain  had  been  honored.  Now 
it  was  his  turn  to  receive  this  highest  plaudit  of  his  country 
men.  About  a  month  before,  Mr.  Blaine  wrote  him  urgently: 
"  You  must  stand  your  hand."  To  which  he  replied: 

I  will  not  in  any  event  entertain  or  accept  a  nomination  as  the  candi 
date  for  President  by  the  Chicago  Republican  convention  nor  any  other 
convention,  for  reasons  personal  to  myself. 

Other  equally  distinguished  statesmen  sent  similar  appeals 
and  met  with  the  same  replies. 

To  his  son  alone  he  admitted  that  at  one  time  he  felt  as  if  he 
had  better  "sacrifice  himself,"  his  sole  reason  being  "with  a 
view  to  filling  vacancies  in  the  Supreme  Court  with  men  abso 
lutely  loyal  to  the  principles  for  which  the  war  was  fought." 
He  abandoned  this  purpose,  as  he  said,  "as  the  court  was  now 
composed  in  a  greater  part  of  men  strongly  imbued  with 
national  principles. ' ' 

His  ambition  had  always  been  to  live  and  die  a  soldier. 

In  American  political  history  he  stands  alone,  a  colossus  in 
refusing  to  accept  the  highest  civil  office  in  the  gift  of  the  peo 
ple  when  it  was  at  his  command  for  the  acceptance. 

The  overthrow  of  the  Republican  party  in  the  election  which 
followed  caused  a  wave  of  feeling  for  the  moment. 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 25 


374  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

STICK  TO  THE  TEXT. 

In  the  celebrated  controversy  concerning  "Buell's  rescue  of 
Grant's  army  at  Shiloh,"  SHERMAN'S  friendship  for  Grant 
having  been  questioned  upon  an  extract  from  one  of  his  own 
letters,  viz,  "Had  C.  F.  Smith  lived,  Grant  would  have  disap 
peared  to  history  after  Donelson,"  the  General  came  back  to 
the  defense  with  his  characteristic  vigor.  The  entire  letter 
having  been  produced,  he  having  conceded  the  use  of  the 
words,  it  was  shown  that  it  should  be  taken  with  the  context  in 
order  to  get  the  strict  sense  of  his  meaning.  This  he  explained 
more  fully  and  vigorously  at  a  gathering  of  a  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic  post  at  St.  Louis  in  December  after. 

SEEKS   THE   WHIRL   OF   THE    METROPOLIS. 

The  death  of  his  great  chief  and  of  so  many  of  the  army  com 
manders  of  the  late  war  began  to  make  the  old  hero  feel  lone 
some  in  his  worldly  surroundings. 

In  order  to  find  relief  in  the  whirl  of  the  great  metropolis, 
not  loving  less  his  favorite  St.  Louis,  after  attendance  upon  the 
national  encampment  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  in  the 
fall  of  1886,  at  San  Francisco,  he  made  his  home  in  New  York. 

DEATH    OF    MRS.   SHERMAN. 

[1888.] 

About  two  years  after,  on  November  28,  1888,  died  the  com 
panion  of  his  life,  the  mistress  of  his  home,  the  mother  of  his 
children.  As  Ellen  Boyle  E wing  she  was  admired  in  Washing 
ton  as  one  of  the  brightest  of  the  young  ladies  of  the  Senatorial 
and  Cabinet  circles.  As  the  wife  of  WILLIAM  T.  SHERMAN 
she  was  an  element  of  strength  in  every  vicissitude  and  advance- 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  375 

ment  of  her  husband's  career.  But  a  few  months  before  her 
death  the  General  purchased  the  residence  at  75  West  Seventy- 
first  street. 

The  extreme  tensity  of  grief  was  followed  by  long  illness. 
His  old  enemy,  asthma,  also  afflicted  him  more  than  ever.  On 
one  occasion,  being  found  speechless  in  his  office,  he  could  but 
point  to  his  throat.  It  was  a  narrow  escape  from  the  only 
enemy  whom  he  could  not  dismay. 

AX    IXCIDKXT    IX    WHICH    MRS.    SHKRMAX    FIGURED. 

After  the  recovery  of  General  Dodge  from  his  Atlanta  wound 
it  was  proposed  by  General  Grant  he  should  cooperate  with 
SHERMAX'S  march  to  the  sea  by  a  movement  from  Yicksburg 
to  Mobile.  A  dispatch,  however,  intercepted  him  on  the  way, 
ordering  him  to  report  from  St.  Louis.  There  he  was  assigned 
to  the  command  of  the  Department  of  the  Missouri.  Here  he 
found  his  commander's  wife  and  family,  Mrs.  Sherman  doing 
all  in  her  power  to  ameliorate  the  asperities  of  war.  It  was 
natural  that  Mrs.  Sherman  should  write  to  her  husband  of  the 
kindness  she  was  receiving  from  the  new  department  com 
mander.  Without  circumlocution  the  General  wrote  to  Dodge: 

You  must  not  issue  these  orders  and  release  these  ]>eople  simply  Ijeeause 
Mrs.  Sherman  requests  you  to  do  so.  You  must  use  your  own  judgment, 
and  only  where  you  know  it  is  absolutely  right.  *  I  appreciate 

fully  what  you  are  doing  and  why  you  do  it,  but,  my  dear  General,  you 
know  you  must  still  cling  to  a  soldier's  duty. 

CLOSING    SCENES. 

On  February  S,  the  anniversary  of  his  birth,  there  gathered 
around  him  at  a  home  dinner  the  fast-contracting  circle  of  his 
lieutenants  of  former  days,  among  them  Schofield,  Howard,  and 
Slocum. 

In  April   following  the  Union  League  Club,  of  New  York, 


376  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

extended  a  reception  in  honor  of  the  same  birthday,  at  which 
Depew  was  the  orator  and  the  General  the  responding  guest. 
His  speech  was  one  of  the  best  of  his  post-prandial  efforts,  for 
which  he  was  celebrated,  eliciting  for  him  as  great  applause  as 
an  orator  as  he  had  won  as  a  soldier. 

The  inherent  kindliness  of  his  nature  broke  forth  on  every 
page  of  his  voluminous  correspondence.  In  a  letter  to  Gen. 
Joseph  E.  Johnston,  but  one  month  before  the  "  final  orders," 
he  wrote: 

The  cause  which  made  you  and  me  enemies  in  1861  is  as  dead  as  the 
rule  of  King  George  in  1776,  and,  like  Humpty  Dumpty,  "all  the  King's 
horses  and  all  the  King's  men  can  not  bring  it  to  life  again." 

"A    BAD    NIGHT." 
[FEBRUARY  8,  1891.] 

The  morning  of  Sunday,  February  8,  1891,  the  General's 
seventy-first  birthday,  began  with  the  foreboding  remark  that 
he  had  had  ' '  a  bad  night. ' '  A  medical  consultation  pronounced 
the  cause  an  incipient  attack  of  erysipelas. 

Before  the  close  of  the  same  day  his  condition  was  pronounced 
dangerous.  Those  of  his  family  not  at  home  were  summoned. 
The  appearance  of  his  brother  John,  even  in  his  semiconscious 
state,  aroused  his  belief  that  all  was  not  well,  wrhich,  however, 
was  set  at  rest  by  the  Senator  remarking  that  he  had  come  to 
the  city  on  business.  .Inquiries  from  the  President,  the  civil, 
military,  and  naval  arms  of  the  Government  and  the  people  in 
every  part  of  the  land  swelled  the  vast  volume  of  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  the  stricken  warrior.  After  a  brave  fight,  by  Friday 
the  direct  cause  was  overcome,  only  to  be  followed  by  the  per 
sistent  enemy  of  his  health  through  life.  On  Saturday,  at 
dawn,  his  chosen  hour  of  battle,  the  presence  of  the  dread  foe 
seemed  very  near.  The  last  rites  of  religion  were  administered. 
Kvery  effort  of  medical  art  had  failed  to  afford  relief. 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  377 

DEATH    HIS   ONLY    CONQUKROR. 
KkllKI  AIM    14.  1SU1.] 

At  the  hour  of  I  o'clock  and  fifty  minutes  on  the  afternoon  of 
that  day,  February  14,  iScji,  all  that  was  mortal  of  WILLIAM 
TKCUMSEH  SHERMAN  ceased  to  live.  He  died  beloved  by  all 
the  world.  Those  who  had  been  his  enemies  in  war  were  his 
friends  in  peace.  The  terror  of  his  sword  won  obedience  to  the 
Government,  the  Constitution,  and  the  laws.  The  example  of 
his  life,  while  the  Republic  endures,  will  stand  for  the  highest 
type  of  American  citizenship. 

The  greatness  of  his  country  is  the  measure  of  his  fame. 

PUBLIC    SORROW    AND    PRIVATE    GRIEF. 

The  death  of  WILLIAM  TECUMSEH  SHERMAN  fell  upon  the 
country  with  the  shock  of  a  thunderbolt  from  a  clear  sky. 
Barely  had  his  illness  become  known  than  swept  over  the  land 
the  sad  tidings  of  his  death.  During  his  retirement,  particularly 
since  the  death  of  General  Grant,  he  stood  like  a  giant  among 
his  countrymen.  He  had  twice  received  the  highest  commenda 
tion  of  a  citizen  of  the  United  States— the  thanks  of  Congress. 
In  the  great  metropolis,  the  residence  of  his  closing  years,  no 
event  of  a  public  character  was  rounded  into  full  significance 
without  him. 

The  vast  volume  of  grief  which  his  death  unloosed  was  not 
excessive.  It  hardly  reached  the  summit  of  his  fame.  The 
President  of  the  United  States  broke  the  melanclioly  intelli 
gence  to  Congress  in  a  special  message.  He  announced  it  to 
the  Secretary  of  War  in  an  Executive  order  ' '  to  cause  the 
highest  military  honors  to  be  paid  to  his  memory,"  all  flags  to 
be  dropped  at  half-mast  on  all  public  buildings  until  after  the 
burial,  public  business  to  be  suspended  at  Washington,  in  the 


378  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

city  of  interment,  and  at  all  places  on  the  day  of  the  funeral 
"where  public  expression  is  given"  to  the  national  sorrow. 
Telegrams  of  condolence  poured  in  upon  the  family  from  ocean 
to  ocean.  The  most  urgent  request  was  made  by  the  President 
that  the  body  should  lie  in  state  in  the  Rotunda  of  the  Capitol. 
The  same  distinctive  mark  of  obsequy  was  asked  by  the  gov 
ernor  of  Ohio,  the  State  of  his  birth. 

A  military  guard  from  Governors  Island,  mounted  at  8  o'clock 
on  the  evening  of  the  day  of  his  death,  took  all  that  was  of  this 
world  over  to  the  care  of  those  who  had  been  comrades  in  his 
greater  share  of  life.  Generals  Howard  and  Slocum,  com 
manders  of  his  famous  right  and  left  wings  from  Atlanta  to 
the  sea,  were  charged  with  the  arrangement  of  the  military 
pageant  to  their  fallen  chief. 

A    SORROWING    THRONG. 

The  day  of  the  funeral  was  Thursday,  February  19.  The 
occasion  was  one  of  impressive  contrast.  Nature  looked  on 
with  the  most  radiant  glow  of  heaven;  man,  overcome  with 
sadness,  shed  the  bitterest  tears  of  earth. 

At  2  on  the  afternoon  of  that  day  of  mourning,  after  a  private 
service  at  the  late  residence,  the  casket  closed  upon  mortality — 
the  last  earthly  light  and  the  gaze  of  dear  ones  of  family  and 
loved  ones  among  friends.  Amid  the  ruffles  of  drums,  blare  of 
trumpets,  and  voices  of  command,  the  casket  containing  the 
body  of  the  dead  chieftain  was  placed  upon  a  caisson  and, 
under  escort  of  marines  and  engineers,  artillery,  and  troops  of 
the  United  States,  the  National  Guard  of  New  York,  and  mili 
tary  organizations,  in  column  in  reverse  order,  was  conveyed 
to  the  place  of  departure  at  Jersey  City. 

In  the  procession  were  nine  major-generals,  one  of  them 
among  the  foremost  of  his  former  foes,  and  two  rear-admirals, 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  379 

serving  as  honorary  pallbearers,  followed  by  the  family  and 
friends,  the  President  and  Vice- President  of  the  United  States, 
ex-Presidents,  committees  of  the  United  States  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives,  governor  of  the  State  of  New  York 
and  mayor  of  the  city,  and  deputations  of  the  Loyal  Legion, 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  other  military 
organizations. 

The  entire  route  of  march  for  several  miles  through  the 
metropolis  was  thronged  with  a  vast  multitude  of  sorrowing 
people.  As  a  requiem  the  church  l)ells  of  the  great  city  tolled 
during  the  moving  of  the  cortege. 

THE    FUNERAL    TRAIN. 

The  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  in  honor  of  the  dis 
tinguished  dead,  had  arranged  a  funeral  train  worthy  of  the 
last  journey  of  one  of  earth's  greatest  heroes.  The  remains 
lay  upon  a  catafalque  in  a  composite  car,  deeply  draped  in 
black,  arranged  so  that  the  casket  might  be  viewed  from  either 
side  by  mourning  spectators  along  the  way.  Six  sergeant 
bearers  and  guard  were  in  attendance,  and,  as  special  escort  of 
honor,  a  detail  from  Lafayette  Post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic. 

At  forty-five  minutes  past  6  in  the  evening,  to  the  knell  of 
bells  and  other  manifestations  of  sadness,  the  train  departed 
westward  with  its  precious  burden.  The  governor  and  legisla 
ture  of  Pennsylvania,  having  accompanied  the  remains  to 
Harrisburg,  here  parted  with  due  solemnity.  The  local  troops 
of  the  National  Guard  drawn  up  at  the  station  stood  at 
present,  drums  ruffling,  until  the  train  passed.  Similar  honors 
were  shown  at  Pittsburg,  Columbus,  and  Indianapolis.  At 
every  town  and  village,  and  even  by  the  roadside  along  the 
line  of  travel,  almost  half  as  long  as  the  hero's  great  march, 
were  grouped  veterans  with  bared  heads,  waving  a  last  salute. 


380  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch. 

TAPS. 

At  St.  Louis  the  ceremonies  of  entombment  were  conducted 
in  accordance  with  the  late  General's  wishes.  A  military 
funeral,  with  Ransom  Post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
of  which  he  was  a  comrade,  as  personal  escort,  a  detail  of  one 
regiment  of  infantry,  two  battalions  of  cavalry,  and  two  bat 
teries  of  artillery,  United  States,  and  several  regiments  of  the 
National  Guard  of  Missouri,  and  representatives  of  command- 
eries  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  posts  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  and  Sons  of  Veterans. 

The  family  and  friends  and  representative  mourners  attended 
the  remains  to  the  grave,  followed  by  the  military  escort.  The 
burial  rites  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  were  celebrated  by 
the  eldest  son  of  the  deceased.  A  detachment  of  his  old  regi 
ment,  the  Thirteenth  U.  S.  Infantry,  fired  over  his  grave  "three 
volleys,"  to  mark  his  last  battle  with  life.  His  bugler  sounded 
' '  Taps,"  and  then  enduring  fame  and  the  crown  of  immortality. 

WILLIAM    TKCUMSEH    SHERMAN. 

To  do  justice  to  the  varied  qualities  and  characteristics  of  a 
noble  man,  a  loyal  citizen,  and  a  distinguished  soldier,  embodied 
in  the  warrior  statesman  whom  the  day  honors  by  commemo 
ration  in  art,  oratory,  ^and  literature,  would  be  impossible  in 
these  narrow  limits.  To  do  so  to  a  degree  commensurate  with 
his  capabilities  and  services  would  necessitate  going  into  the 
circumstances  and  events  of  the  inception,  prosecution,  and 
consummation  of  the  greatest  life  struggle  of  a  nation  in  all 
time. 

In  every  phase  of  life  and  its  activities  he  was  distinctive. 
He  possessed  a  mind  of  extreme  breadth  and  a  range  of  intel 
lectual  vision  beyond  most  other  men,  even  themselves  con 
sidered  masterful. 


WILLIAM   TECUMSE.H   SHERMAN.   GENERAL   U.    S     A. 

Horn  at  IjiiH-nMrr.  nliin.  I-Vlinmrv  S  lv-'i': 
Y'.rk  ciiy  F.-liruary  1  I.  l-.'l. 
KAITIIH  i.  AM>  H«iM'HAi:i  i 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  381 

His  military  skill  was  of  the  highest  order.  His  grasp  of  the 
exigencies  of  the  moment,  and  prompt  response,  was  one  of  the 
chief  elements  of  his  success.  His  statesman-like  insight  into 
the  great  issues  involved,  military  and  civil,  from  start  to  finish, 
are  matters  of  record.  In  his  campaigns  he  made  few  mistakes, 
and  those  were  quickly  rectified  and  turned  to  equal,  if  not 
better,  account  by  himself.  He  was  quick  in  initiative,  vigilant, 
prompt  to  act,  always  on  time,  his  plans  working  with  machine- 
like  accuracy,  a  good  fighter,  a  master  of  strategy,  skillful  in 
tactical  finesse,  and  in  feint  unrivaled.  His  career  was 
ascendant  until  he  reached  the  highest  military  rank  in  succes 
sion  to  his  chief.  His  theater  of  operations  in  person  covered 
a  larger  area  than  other  one  army  commander. 

Like  General  Grant,  he  was  a  man  of  few  words,  and  fewer 
orders  on  the  field.  He  simply  pointed  out  what  was  to  be 
done — his  "objective" — and  expected  his  commanders  to  do 
the  rest. 

To  the  highest  degree  he  had  the  confidence  and  devotion 
of  his  soldiers.  In  his  Army  of  the  Tennessee  he  was 
known  as  "The  Old  Tycoon,"  or,  more  affectionately, 
"Uncle  Billy,"  one  indicating  the  sentiment  of  absolute  obe 
dience  to  duty,  the  other  that  he  held  near  his  thoughts  the 
welfare  of  his  men. 

One  of  the  most  pathetic  phases  of  his  everyday  retired 
army  life  was  the  unbounded  generosity  he  ever  extended 
to  the  commanders,  officers,  and  men  who  had  served  under 
him.  He  possessed  that  kindly  faculty  of  making  each,  even 
to  the  humblest  soldier,  feel  that  it  would  have  teen  em 
barrassing  to  prosecute  the  civil  war  without  his  own  par 
ticular  share  in  its  marches  and  battles. 

His  skill    in  composition,   as   shown    in    his  official  reports, 


382  Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch, 

letters,  orders,  and  work  of  a  purely  literary  character, 
marked  him  as  possessed  of  the  qualities  of  authorship  of 
high  repute. 

His  writings,  though  thrown  off  amid  the  confusion  of  the 
march,  the  alarms  of  camp,  the  roar  of  battle,  or  the  dis 
tractions  of  headquarters,  live  as  masterpieces  of  incisive 
thought,  lucidity  of  expression,  aggressivement  of  assertion, 
facility  of  argument,  force  of  deduction,  and  precision  of 
conviction. 

In  action  he  had  the  full  spirit  of  American  "hustle."  As 
a  junior  officer  in  the  line  of  military  duty  he  foresaw  the 
foundation  of  empire  on  the  western  shores  of  the  continent. 
He  was  the  first  to  note  the  national  significance  of  a  trans 
continental  railway  and  the  international  prestige  of  an  isth 
mian  canal.  He  was  an  expert  financier,  having  successfully 
resisted  the  claws  of  wild-cat  forays  in  San  Francisco  and 
eluded  the  baiting  of  bulls  and  bears  in  New  York.  He  was 
cautious  in  venture,  unerring  in  judgment,  and  fearless  in 
execution. 

The  variety  of  his  gifts,  natural  and  acquired,  might  be  mul 
tiplied  to  the  limit  of  human  ingenuity  and  find  its  correlative 
in  action. 

His  brusqueness  of  manner  and  bluntness  of  speech  were  an 
incongruous  manifestation  of  a  heart  as  tender  as  a  woman's. 
The  very  twinkle  of  that  keen  eye  put  the  stamp  of  gentleness 
itself  upon  his  words.  His  wholesome  humor  again  belied  the 
bluntness  of  the  soldier.  While  acting  the  tragedy,  he  lived 
the  comedy  side  of  life.  His  form  of  speech  was  forceful,  but 
always  refined.  Though  inflexible  of  purpose,  he  was  consid 
erate  of  the  opinions  of  others,  and  always  open  to  conviction. 
He  was  a  devoted  friend  and  a  relentless,  yet  forgiving,  enemy. 
His  most  persistent  foe  in  the  battles  and  skirmishes  of  his  great 


Sherman:  A  Memorial  Sketch.  383 

•campaigns  followed  him  in  tears  to  the  grave.  In  places  of 
trust  he  was  the  personification  of  honor.  It  was  said  of  him 
by  a  brother  officer,  when  balancing  his  commissary  accounts, 
"  If  SHERMAN  does  not  soon  find  that  cent,  he'll  resign  or  blow 
off  his  head." 

In  his  domestic  life  he  was  a  loving  husband,  a  devoted 
father,  and  steadfast  friend.  His  wants  were  few  and  simple, 
always  living  contentedly  within  his  means,  ever  abhorring  obli 
gations  of  money,  and  was  not  less  sparing  of  obligations  to 
friends.  His  most  distinguishing  characteristic  was  his  mighty 
spirit  of  independence,  and,  as  few  others,  he  possessed  every 
qualification  to  its  support. 

In  all  respects  WILLIAM  TECUMSEH  SHERMAN  was  an  Amer 
ican  whose  deeds  and  virtues  for  the  purity  of  the  State  and 
home  stand  worthy  of  emulation  by  citizen  or  soldier. 


A  MILITARY  PASS.' 


«This  document  is  one  of  three  held  b\  the  writer  from  the  commanders  of  the  Army  of  the  Ten 
nessee.  The  first  was  issued  by  Major-General  Grant,  the  second  by  Major-General  Sherman.  The 
one  reproduced  is  given  in  remembrance  of  the  illustrious  successor  to  those  foremost  chieftains,  who 
gave  his  life  for  his  country  on  the  desperate  but  victorious  field  of  Atlanta. 


SHERMAN  IN  THE  (OFFICIAL)  RECORD. 


The  Record  and  Pension  Office  of  the  War  Department  gives 
the  following  statement  of  the  military  service  of  WILLIAM  T. 
SHKKMAN,  late  of  the  United  States  Army,  compiled  from  the 
records  March  11,  1891: 

He  was  a  cadet  at  the  United  States  Military  Academy  July 
i,  1836,  to  July  i,  1840,  when  he  was  graduated  No.  6  in  his 
class  and  appointed  second  lieutenant,  Third  Artillery,  July  1, 
1840;  first  lieutenant  November  30,  1841;  and  captain  Septem 
ber  27,  1850. 

He  received  the  brevet  of  captain  May  30,  1848,  "  for  gallant 
and  meritorious  services  in  California  during  the  war  with 
Mexico." 

He  joined  his  regiment  October  20,  1841,  and  served  with  it 
in  Florida  to  March  i,  1842;  at  Fort  Morgan,  Ala.,  to  June  2, 
1842;  at  Fort  Moultrie,  S.  C.,  to  July  26,  1843;  ou  leave  to 
September  27,  1843;  with  company  at  Fort  Moultrie,  S.  C.,  to 
April  13,  1846;  on  recruiting  service  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  to  June 
25,  1846;  at  Fort  Columbus,  N.  Y.,  to  July  14,  1846;  at  sea, 
en  route  to  California,  to  January  25,  1847;  at  Monterey,  Cal., 
to  May  31,  1847;  assistant  adjutant-general  Department  of  Cali 
fornia  to  February  27,  1849;  aid-de-camp  to  Gen.  P.  F.  Smith 
and  assistant  adjutant-general  Pacific  Division  at  San  Francisco, 
Cal.,  to  January  i,  1850;  on  leave  from  February  28,  1850,  to 
September  23,  1850;  with  battery  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo., 
to  October  15,  1850;  on  commissary  duty  at  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
and  at  New  Orleans,  L,a.,  until  he  resigned,  September  6,  1853. 

(385) 


386  The  Official  Record. 

Appointed  colonel  Thirteenth  U.  S.  Infantry  May  14,  1861; 
brigadier-general,  U.  S.  Volunteers,  May  17,  1861;  major- 
general,  U.  S.  Volunteers,  May  i,  1862;  brigadier-general, 
U.  S.  Army,  July  4,  1863;  major-general,  U.  S.  Army,  August 
12,  1864;  Lieutenant-General  U.  S.  Army  July  25,  1866;  and 
General  U.  S.  Army  March  4,  1869. 

He  served  during  the  rebellion  of  the  seceding  States,  1861 
to  1866:  In  defense  of  Washington,  D.  C.,  June  13  to  July, 
1861;  in  command  of  a  brigade  (Army  of  the  Potomac)  in  the 
Manassas  campaign,  July  15  to  23,  1861,  being  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run  July  21,  1861;  in  defense  of  Washington, 
D.  C.,  July  23  to  August  28,  1861;  in  the  Department  of  the 
Cumberland  August  28  to  November  9,  1861,  succeeding  Brig. 
Gen.  Robert  Anderson  in  command  October  8,  1861,  being 
engaged  September  to  October,  1861,  in  the  occupation  of  Mul- 
draugh  Heights  to  cover  Louisville,  Ky.,  from  a  threatened 
attack  of  the  rebel  army  under  General  Buckner;  in  the  Depart 
ment  of  the  Missouri  November  23,  1861,  to  February  14,  1862 
(on  inspection  duty  November  23  to  December  3,  1861),  and  in 
command  of  camp  of  instruction  at  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  December  23,  1861,  to  February  14,  1862;  in  command  of 
the  district  of  Paducah,  Ky.,  February  17  to  March  10,  1862, 
aiding  in  forwarding  reenforcements  and  supplies  to  General 
Grant,  then  operating  up  the  Tennessee  River;  in  command  of 
a  division  in  the  Tennessee  and  Mississippi  campaign  March  to 
October,  1862,  being  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh  April  6  and 
7,  1862,  where  he  wras  wounded  (skirmish  and  destruction  of 
Bear  Creek  Bridge  April  14,  1862);  advance  upon  and  siege 
of  Corinth  April  15  to  May  30,  1862,  and  movement  on  Mem 
phis,  which  he  occupied  July  21,  1862;  in  command  of  the 
district  of  Memphis,  Tenn.,  October  26  to  December  20,  1862, 


The  Official  Record.  387 

being  engaged  Noveml>er  26,  1862,  in  concert  with  General 
Grant,  in  driving  the  enemy,  intrenched  l>ehind  the  Talla- 
hatchie,  to  Grenada,  Miss. ;  in  command  of  the  expedition  to 
Vicksburg,  Miss..  l>eing  engaged  in  the  attempt  to  carry  the 
place  by  coup  de  main  December  27  and  29,  1862;  in  com 
mand  of  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps  January  2,  1863,  to 
Octol>er  25,  1863. 

In  January,  1863,  he  was  in  command  of  the  exjxxlition  to 
Arkansas  Post,  which  was  carried  by  assault  January  1 1,  1863; 
in  the  Yicksburg  campaign,  January  to  July,  1863,  in  command 
of  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  l>eing  engaged  in  the  expedition 
by  Steeles  Bayou  to  the  Yaxoo,  March,  1863;  demonstration 
upon  Haynes  Bluff  to  hold  the  enemy  about  Yicksburg,  April 
29  and  30,  1863;  advance  to  Grand  Gulf,  May  i  to  6,  1863; 
skirmish  at  Fourteen-mile  Creek,  May  12,  1863;  attack  and 
capture  of  Jackson,  May  14,  1863;  march  to  Bridgeport  and 
passage  of  Black  River,  May  16  to  18,  1863;  seizing  of  "Walnut 
Hills,  May  18,  1863;  assault  of  Vicksburg,  May  19  and  22,  1863, 
and  siege  of  the  place  May  22  till  its  unconditional  surrender 
July  4,  1863;  and  operations  against  the  relieving  forces,  result 
ing  in  the  capture  of  Jackson,  Miss.,  July  16,  1863,  with  exten 
sive  destruction  of  railroads  and  forcing  Gen.  J.  K.  Johnston's 
army  beyond  Brandon,  Miss. 

He  was  in  command  of  the  expedition  from  the  Big  Black 
River,  via  Memphis,  to  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  September  22  to 
November,  15,  1863,  being  engaged  in  the  action  of  Colliersville, 
Tenn.,  October  n,  1863;  passage  of  the  Tennessee  River  at 
Eastport,  Ala.,  November  i,  1863;  and  battle  of  Chattanooga, 
Tenn.,  November  23  to  25,  1863,  where  he  commanded  the  left 
wing  of  General  Grant's  army  in  the  attack  of  Missionary- 
Ridge;  and  in  the  pursuit  to  Ringgold,  Ga.,  November  25  to 
28,  1863.- 


388  The  Official  Record, 

He  commanded  the  expedition  to  Knoxville,  Tenn.  (com 
menced  November  28,  1863),  and,  after  compelling  General 
Longstreet  to  raise  the  siege  of  the  place  December  i,  1863,  he 
returned  to  Chattanooga  December  18,  1863,  and  thence  to 
Memphis  and  Vicksburg  January,  1864;  on  winter  march 
February  i  to  25,  1864,  with  20,000  men,  to  Meridian,  Miss., 
breaking  up  the  railroads  centering  there  and  supplying  the 
enemy  in  the  southwest. 

He  was  in  command  of  the  Department  and  Army  of  the 
Tennessee  October  25,  1863,  to  March  12,  1864,  and  of  the 
Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi,  composed  of  the  depart 
ments  of  the  Ohio,  Cumberland,  and  Tennessee,  March  12,  1864, 
to  June  27,  1865;  in  organizing  at  his  headquarters  at  Nash 
ville,  Tenn.,  an  army  of  100,000  men  for  the  spring  campaign 
of  1864;  in  the  invasion  of  Georgia,  May  2  to  December  21, 
1864;  in  command  of  the  Armies  of  the  Ohio,  Cumberland,  and 
Tennessee,  being  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Dalton,  May  14, 
1864;  battle  of  Resaca,  May  15,  1864;  occupation  of  Rome, 
May  18,  1864;  action  of  Cassville,  May  19,  1864;  battle  of 
Dallas,  May  25  and  28,  1864;  movement  on  Kenesaw,  with 
almost  daily  heavy  engagements,  May  28  to  June  20,  1864; 
battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  20  to  July  2,  1864;  occupa 
tion  of  Marietta,  July  3,  1864;  assault  at  Ruff's  Station,  July 
4,  1864;  passage  of  the  Chattahoochee,  July  12  to  17,  1864; 
combats  of  Peach  Tree  Creek,  July  19  to  21,  1864;  battle  of 
Atlanta,  July  22,  1864;  siege  of  Atlanta,  July  22,  1864,  to  Sep 
tember  2,  1864;  repulse  of  rebel  sorties  from  the  place,  July 
28  and  August  6,  1864;  battle  of  Jonesboro,  August  31  to 
September  i,  1864;  surrender  of  Atlanta  September  2,  and 
occupation  of  the  place  September  2  to  November  15,  1864; 
pursuit  of  the  enemy  under  General  Hood  into  Alabama,  with 
frequent  engagements,  September  28  to  November  15,  1864; 


The  Official  Record.  389 

inarch  to  the  sea,  with  numerous  actions  and  skirmishes,  from 
Atlanta  to  Savannah,  November  16  to  December,  13,  1864: 
storming  and  capture  of  Fort  McAlister,  Ga. ,  December,  13, 
1864;  and  surrender  of  Savannah  December  21,  1864. 

In  the  invasion  of  the  Carolinas,  from  the  "base"  of  the 
Savannah  River,  January  15  to  April  6,  1865;  in  command  of 
the  Armies  of  the  Ohio,  Tennessee,  and  Georgia,  l>eing  engaged 
in  the  march  through  Salkahatchie  Swamps  to  South  Carolina 
Railroad,  February  i  and  6,  1865;  occupation  of  Columbia, 
S.  C.,  February  17,  1865;  passage  of  the  Catawba  River,  Feb 
ruary  23  to  25,  1865;  capture  of  Cheraw,  March  3,  1865;  cross 
ing  Pedee  River,  March  6  and  7,  1865;  capture  of  Fayette- 
ville,  X.  C.,  March  12,  1865;  passage  of  the  Cape  Fear  River, 
North  Carolina,  March  13,  1865;  battle  of  Averasboro,  March 
1 6,  1865;  battle  of  Hentonville,  March  20  and  21,  1865;  occu 
pation  of  Goldsboro,  N.  C.,  March  22,  1865;  capture  of 
Raleigh.  _  April  13,  1865;  and  surrender  of  the  Confederate 
army  under  General  J.  E.  Johnston  at  Durham  Station,  N.  C., 
April  26,  1865,  being  one  of  the  closing  acts  of  the  rebellion. 

He  was  on  the  march  to  Richmond,  Ya.,  and  Washington, 
I).  C..  April  28  to  May  24,  1865. 

He  commanded  the  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi, 
embracing  the  departments  of  the  Ohio,  Missouri,  and  Arkan 
sas,  June  27,  1865.  to  August  n,  1866. 

Served  as  member  of  Ixiard  to  make  recommendations  for 
brevets  to  general  officers  March  14  to  24,  1866,  and  on  special 
mission  to  Mexico  November  and  December,  1866;  in  command 
of  the  Division  of  the  Missouri  August  11,  1866,  to  March  5, 
1869;  as  member  of  board  to  examine  proposed  system  of  Army 
Regulations  December,  1867,  to  January,  1868;  commanding 
the  Armies  of  the  United  States  March  8,  1869,  to  November 
i,  1883,  when  he  was  relieved,  at  his  own  request. 
S.  Doc.  320,  58-2 26 


390  The  Official  Record. 

He  was  on  tour  of  inspection  of  frontiers  of  Texas,  Indian 
Territory,  Kansas,  and  Nebraska,  April  4  to  June  20,  1871;  on 
professional  duty  in  Europe  November  10,  1871,  to  September 
17,  1872;  as  president  of  Howard  court  of  inquiry  March, 
1874;  and  on  tour  of  inspection  of  posts  on  the  Yellowstone 
River  and  in  Montana  Territory  June  26  to  October  22,  1877. 

He  was  retired  from  active  service  February  8,  1884,  and 
died  in  New  York  City,  N.  Y.,  February  14,  1891. 

By  joint  resolution  of  Congress,  February  19,  1864,  the 
thanks  of  Congress  were  extended  to  Maj.  Gen.  AY.  T.  SHER 
MAN  : 

To  Maj.  Gen.  W.  T.  SHKRMAN  and  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Army 
of  the  Tennessee  for  their  gallant  and  arduous  services  in  marching  to  the 
relief  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  for  their  gallantry  and  heroism 
in  the  battle  of  Chattanooga,  which  contributed,  in  a  great  degree,  to  the 
success  of  our  arms  in  that  glorious  victory. 

Then  again  by  joint  resolution  dated  January  10,  1865: 

To  Maj.  Gen.  W.  T.  SHERMAN  and  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  his  com 
mand  for  their  gallantry  and  good  conduct  in  their  late  campaign  from 
Chattanooga  to  Atlanta,  and  the  triumphal  march  thence  through  Georgia 
to  Savannah,  terminating  in  the  capture  and  occupation  of  that  city. 

J.  C.  KELTOX, 
AdjiUant  General. 


SHERMAN  IN  BOOKS:  A  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 


A  comprehensive  view  of  the  prominence  of  WILLIAM 
TECUMSEH  SHERMAN  in  the  literature  of  the  American  civil 
war  may  l>e  had  from  the  many  volumes  and  magazine  articles 
to  be  found  on  the  shelves  of  the  Library  of  Congress,  treating 
distinctively  of  his  share  in  the  events  of  his  time. 

The  list,  however,  does  not  include  the  vast  range  of  pub 
lications  in  which  the  story  of  his  deeds  occupies  a  place,  more 
or  less  conspicuous,  as  part  of  and  necessary  to  the  complete 
ness  of  the  history  of  the  period. 

Xor  does  it  take  account  of  public  documents  except  where 
they  appear  as  independent  works. 

This  is  the  first  grouping  of  all  the  literature  relating  to 
SHERMAN  in  the  national  collection.  It  may  serve  as  a  guide 
to  those  desiring  to  make  a  study  of  the  life,  character,  and 
achievements  of  this  great  American  soldier-statesman. 

LIST  OF  WORKS  IN  THE  LIBRARY  OF  CONGRESS  RELATING  TO  GENERAL  WILLIAM  T. 
SHERMAN,  INCLUDING  HIS  WRITINGS. 

Compiled  by  A.  I'.  C.  GRIFFIN,  (,'hirf  Ribliwjraphcr. 

SHERMAN,  WILLIAM  TKCITMSEH.  General  Sherman's  official  account  of 
his  great  march  through  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas,  from  his  departure 
from  Chattanooga  to  the  surrender  of  General  Joseph  E.Johnston  and 
the  Confederate  forces  under  his  command.  To  which  is  added  Gen 
eral  Sherman's  evidence  before  the  Congressional  committee  on  the 
conduct  of  the  war;  the  animadversions  of  Secretary  Stanton  and 
General  Halleck,  with  a  defence  of  his  proceedings,  etc. 
New  York:  Bunce  and  Huntington,  1865.  214  pp.  12°. 

Cover-title:  The  hero's  own  story.     General  Sherman's  official  account  of 
his  great  march  through  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas. 

(39') 


392  A  Bibliography  of  Sherman. 

SHERMAN,  WILLIAM  TECUMSEH.  Major-General  Sherman's  reports. 
I.  Campaign  against  Atlanta.  II.  Campaign  against  Savannah.  III. 
Campaign  through  the  Carolinas.  IV.  Johnston's  truce  and  sur 
render.  V.  Story  of  the  march  through  Georgia.  By  a  staff  officer. 
Official  copy — complete. 

New  York:    Beadle  and   company,   1865.     84  pp.      16°.      (Beadle's 
dime  series. ) 

Memoirs.      By  himself. 
New  York:   D.  Appleton  and  company,  1875.     2  vols.     8°. 

Same.     2  vols.  complete  in  i. 

New  York:   D.  Appleton  and  company,  1876.     2  vols.  in  i      8°. 
-     Same.     2d  ed.,  revised  and  corrected. 

New  York:  D.   Appleton  and    company,    1886.     2    vols.      Portrait. 
Maps.     8°. 

Military  orders  of  General  William  T.  Sherman,  1861-65. 
Washington:    Government  printing  office,    1869.     (2).    Ixxix,   375 
pp.     8°. 

General  Sherman  in  Russia.      Extracts  from  the  diary  of  General 

W.  T.  Sherman. 
(In  Century  magazine,  vol.  35,  April,  1899,  PP-  868-875.) 

General  Sherman's  last  speech.     The  old  army. 
(In  Century  magazine,  vol.  20,  June,  1891,  pp.  189-192.) 

Delivered  at  the  Press  club  dinner  to  H.  M.  Stanley,   at   Delmonico's,  Jan 
uary  31,  and  printed  from  manuscript  dictated  by  General  Sherman. 

General  Sherman's  opinion  of  General  Grant.     Letter  dated  Nov. 

18,  1879. 
(In  Century  magazine,  vol.  31,  April,  1897,  p.  821.) 

General  Sherman's  tour  of  Europe.     In  Spain,   Italy,  Egypt,  and 

Turkey.     Extracts  from  the  diary  of  General  W.  T.  Sherman. 
(/;/  Century  magazine,  vol.  35,  March,  1899,  pp.  729-740.) 

A  sheaf  of  Sherman  letters.      1863-81.     With  comments  by  James 

Grant  Wilson.     - 
(fit  Independent,  vol.  54,  Jan.  23,  1902,  pp.  213-215.) 

Some  letters  by  General  W.  T.  Sherman,  U.  S.  A.,  chiefly  relat 
ing  to  Shiloh.  Aug.  i,  i864-Jan.  28,  1886.  With  comments  by  William 
R.  Marshall. 

(In  Military  order  of  the  Loyal  legion  of  the  United  States.     Min 
nesota  commandery,  4th  series,  pp.  605-614.     St.  Paul,  1898.     8°.) 

Why  General  Sherman  declined  the  nomination  in  1884.  Being 
a  letter  hitherto  unpublished,  from  General  W.  T.  Sherman  to  V.  S. 
Senator  J.  R.  Doolittle,  of  Wisconsin.  June  io,  1884. 

(In  North  America  review,  vol.  171,  April,  1900,  pp.  243-245.) 


A  Bibliography  of  Sherman.  393 

\VRITIXC.S    REI,ATIX<;    TO   GENERAL   WILLIAM    T.  SHERMAX. 

ATKINS,  S.  I).     With  Sherman's  cavalry. 

(In  Military  order  of  the  Loyal  legion  of  the  United  States.  Illi 
nois  commandery.  Military  essays,  vol.  2,  pp.  383  et  seq.  Chicago, 
1894.  8°.) 

AriJEXRKii),  J.  C.     General  Sherman  in  Europe  and  the  Hast. 

I  /;/  Harper's  monthly  magazine,  vol.  57,  July,  1873,  pp.  225-342; 
Sept.,  1873,  pp.  4SI-495:  Oct.,  1873,  pp.  652-671.) 

BOI.TOX,  SARAH  KxowLKS.     General  William  Tecumseh  Sherman. 

(In  her  Famous  leaders  among  men,  pp.  288-332.  New  York, 
1894.  12°.) 

BOWMAX,  SAMUEL  M.  Sherman  and  his  campaigns:  a  military  biog 
raphy.  By  Col.  S.  M.  Bowman  and  Lt.-Col.  R.  B.  Irwin. 

New  York:  C.  B.  Richardson;  Cincinnati:  C.  V.  Vent  &  co.,  etc., 
1865.  512  pp.  Portraits.  Maps.  12°. 

Sherman  and  his  campaigns:  a  military  biography. 
New   York:    Richardson    &   company,    1868.     512   pp.     Portraits. 
Maps.     8°. 

BOYI>,  JAMES  P.     The  life  of  General  William  T.  .Sherman. 

Philadelphia:  Publishers'  union,  1891.  608  pp.  Plates.  Por 
traits.  12°. 

BOYXTOX.  HEXRY  VAX  NESS.  Sherman's  historical  raid.  The  Memoirs 
in  the  light  of  the  record.  A  review  based  upon  compilations  from 
the  files  of  the  War  office. 

Cincinnati:  Wilstach,  Baldwin  &  co.,  1875.     272  pp.     facsim.     8°. 
A  criticism  of  (".en.  Sherman's  Memoirs. 

BRADLEY,  GEORGE  S.  The  star  corps;  or,  Notes  of  an  army  chaplain, 
during  Sherman's  famous  "march  to  the  sea." 

Milwaukee:  Jermain  &  Brightman,  printers,  1865.  xi,  13-304  pp. 
Portrait.  8°. 

BROCKETT,  L.  P.     Major-General  William  Tecumseh  Sherman. 

( /;/  his  Our  great  captains,  pp.  87-162.     New  York,  1865.      12°.) 

William  Tecumseh  Sherman,  General  of  the  Army  of  the  U.  S. 
( ///  his  Men  of  our  day,  pp.  69-97.      Philadelphia,  1872.     8°. ) 

BROWX,  GLEXX.     Competitive  models  for  the  statue  to  General  Sherman. 
(/;/  American  architect  and  building  news,  vol.  51,  Feb.  i,  1896,  pp. 
53-54- ) 

BfELL.  I).  C.  Major-General  W.  T.  Sherman  and  the  spring  campaign  of 
1862  in  the  West. 

(In  Historical  maga/.ine,  vol.  18,  Aug.,  1870,  pp.  74-82.) 


394  A  Bibliography  of  Sherman. 

BYERS,  S.  H.  M.     The  inarch  to  the  sea. 

(In  North  American  review,  vol.  145,  Sept.,  1887,  pp.  235-245.) 

Some  personal  recollections  of  General  Sherman. 
( /;/  McClure's  magazine,  vol.  3,  Aug.,  1894,  pp.  212-224.) 

CHASE,  EDWARD.  The  memorial  life  of  General  William  Tecumseh 
Sherman.  With  an  introduction  by  General  C.  H.  Howard. 

Chicago:  R.  S.  Peale&co.,  1891.     (2),  558  pp.     Illustrations.     8°. 

CHESNEY,  CHARLES  C.     Sherman  and  Johnston  and  the  Atlanta  campaign. 
(In  Fortnightly  review,  vol.  24,  Nov.  i,  1875,  pp.  611-624.) 

CHESTER,  JAMES.  Great  commanders.  General  Sherman.  Review  of 
Force's  book. 

( /;/  Journal  of  the  military  service  institution  of  the  United  States, 
vol.  25,  July,  1899,  pp.  149-155.) 

CONYNGHAM,    DAVID    POWER.       Sherman's    march   through  the  South. 
With  sketches  and  incidents  of  the  campaign. 
New  York:  Sheldon  and  co. ,  1865.     431  pp.     12°. 

Cox,  JACOB    D.     Boynton's  review  of  Sherman.     Review. 

(/;/   Nation,   vol.    21,   Nov.    25,  1875,  pp.  342-343;  Dec.  2,  1875,  pp. 
358-359- ) 

General  Sherman. 
(/;/  Nation,  vol.  52,  Feb.  19,  1891,  pp.  153-155.) 

General  Sherman's  memoirs.     Review. 

(/;/  Nation,  vol.   20,  June  10,  1875,  pp.  397-399;  June  17,  1875,  pp. 
411-412.) 

The  Sherman-Johnston  convention. 
(/;/  Scribner's  magazine,  vol.  28,  Oct.,  1901),  pp.  489-505.) 

CURTIS,  GEORGE   WILLIAM.     General  Sherman. 

(In  his  From  the  easy  chair,  2d  series,  pp.  162-165.     New  York, 
1894.     16°.) 

DAVIS,  JEFFERSON*.     President  Davis  in  reply  to  General  Sherman. 

(In  Southern  historical  society  papers,  vol.  14,  pp.  257-275.     Rich 
mond,  1886.     8°.) 

DAVIS,  THEODORE  R.     With  Sherman  in  his  army  home. 

(In  Cosmopolitan,  vol.  12,  Dec.,  1891,  pp.  165-205.) 
DAWI.EY.  T.  R.     The  life  of  Win.  T.  Sherman. 

New  York:  T.  R.  Dawley,  1864.      108  pp.      12°. 

DODGE,  MAJ.  GEN.  GRENVII^E  M.  Personal  Recollections  of  Gen. 
William  T.  Sherman,  delivered  at  the  28th  Annual  Encampment, 
Department  of  Iowa,  G.  A.  R.,  May  2:,  1902,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 

40  pp.     8°. 


A  Bibliography  of  Sherman.  395 

DOIM-.K,  MAJ.  GKN.  GRKXVIU.K  M.  The  Rattle  of  Atlanta,  July  22,  1864. 
A  paper  read  1>efore  the  New  York  Commandery  of  the  Military 
Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion.  8°. 

Transcontinental  Railways,  with  comments  by  Gen.  \Vm.  T. 
Sherman,  2ist  Annual  Reunion  Society  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
Toledo,  Ohio,  September  15,  1888.  pp.  50.  8°. 

FORBKS,  Mrs.  IDA  H.  Gen'l  \Vm.  T.  Sherman,  his  life  and  battles,  or. 
Prom  boyhood  to  his  "  March  to  the  sea." 

New  York:  McLoughlin  brothers,  publishers,  1886.      157  pp.     Illus 
trations.     8°. 
FORBKS.  J.  M.      Recollections  of  Sherman  and  Porter. 

I  /;/  Nation,  vol.  52,  March  5,  1891,  pp.  192-193.) 
FORCK,  MANNING  FKRGUSOX.     General  Sherman. 

New  York:    I).   Appleton  &  co.,    1899.     ix,  353  pp.      Plates.      Por 
traits.      Facsimiles.     Maps.      12°.      ( Great  commanders. ) 
FRKKMAX,  JOHN  C.     The  civil  and  military  career  of  General  William 
Tecumseh  Sherman. 

I  /;/  Military  order  of  the  Loyal  legion  of  the  United  States.     Wis 
consin   commandery,  war   papers,   vol.    3,    pp.    296-316.      Milwaukee, 
1903-     8°.) 
GKXKRAI.  SHKRMAX  AND  HIS  MKMOIRS. 

i /;/  International  review,  vol.  2,  Nov.,  1875,  pp.  779-817.) 

GKXKRAI.  SHKRMAX'S  civn.  CARKKR. 

(  /;/  Spectator,  vol.  66,  May  23,  1891,  pp.  721-722.) 
(ii.A7.iKR,  WII.I.ARD.     William  Tecumseh  Sherman. 

(  /;/  his  Heroes  of  three  wars,  pp.  263-277.     Philadelphia,  1884.     1 2°. ) 
GrKRNSKV,  A.  H.     Sherman's  great  march. 

i  /;/  Haq>er's  monthly  magazine,  vol.  31,  Oct.,  1865,  pp.  571-589.) 
HAI.STKAD,  MrRAT.     Recollections  and  letters  of  General  Sherman. 

i  /;/  Independent,  vol.  51,  June  15,  1^99,  pp.  1610-1613;  June  22,  1899, 
pp.  1682-1685.) 

HKADLEV.  P.  C.  Life  and  military  career  of  Major-general  William 
Tecumseh  Sherman. 

New  York:  William  II.  Appleton,  1865.    368pp.    Plates.    Maps.     16°. 
HKDLKY.   FKXWICK  Y.       Marching    through    Georgia.      Pen-pictures   of 
every -day  life  in  General  Sherman's  army  from  the  l>eginning  of  the 
Atlanta  campaign  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

Chicago:    Donohue,   Henne1>erry   &  co. ,    1891).      490  pp.     Illustra 
tions.      Plates.      Facsimiles.      12°. 

INGERSOLI.,   ROBKRT  GRKKN.      Rol>ert  G.  Ingersoll,  (ien.  Win.  T.   Sher 
man,  Chauncey  M.  Depew;  their  speeches  at  the  Robson  and  Crane 
banquet,  New  York  City,  Nov.  2ist,  1887. 
New  York  City,  1887.     (4),  15  pp.     8°. 


396  A  Bibliography  of  Sherman. 

JOHNSON,  FLETCHER.  Leben  von  Wni.  Tecumseh  Sherman,  des  verstor- 
benen  pensionirten  Generals  der  Bundesarmee.  Unter  mithiilfe  des 
Gen. -Majors  O.  O.  Howard. 

Philadelphia:  Die  Edgewood  publishing  company,  1891.  6oS  pp. 
Plates.  Portraits.  Maps.  12°. 

JOHNSTON,  JOSEPH  E.     My  negotiations  with  General  Sherman. 

(In  North  American  review,  vol.  143,  Aug.,  1886,  pp.  183-197.) 

JONES,  CHARLES  COLCOCK.     General  Sherman's  march  from  Atlanta  to 

the  coast.     An  address  delivered  before  the   Confederate    survivors' 

association,   in   Augusta,    Georgia,  at    its   sixth  annual    meeting,    on 

memorial  day,  April  26,  1884.     Printed  by  order  of  the  association. 

Augusta,  Ga. :  Chronicle  printing  establishment,  1884.      19  pp.     8°. 

JONES,  J.  WILLIAM.     General  Sherman's  method  of  making  war. 

(In  Southern  historical  society  papers,  vol.  13,  pp.  439-453.  Rich 
mond,  1885.  8°. 

KRUELL,  GUSTAV.  The  portfolio  of  national  portraits;  eight  portraits  of 
historic  Americans  engraved  on  wood  by  Gustav  Kruell. 

New  York:  R.  H.  Russell,  1899.     9  numbers,      i.,  8  1.     8  port.  fol. 

Contents:  William  Llovd  Garrison;  Robert  E.  Lee;  James  Russell  Lowell; 
Ulysses  S.  Grant;  Abraham  Lincoln;  William  T.  Sherman;  Daniel  Webster. 

LAMBERT,  WILLIAM  H.  Reply  to  the  toast  "Sherman's  army,"  by  Major 
Wm.  H.  Lambert  at  the  banquet  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland^  St.  George's  hall,  Philadelphia,  July  7th,  1876. 

Philadelphia,  1876,  (4)  pp.     8°. 

LEE,  S.  D.  Sherman's  Meridian  expedition  and  Sooy  Smith's  raid  to 
West  Point.  A  review. 

(In  Southern  historical  society  papers,  vol.  S,  pp.  49-61.  Rich 
mond,  1880.  8°.) 

LIFE  AND  REMINISCENCES  OF  GENERAL  WM.  T.  SHERMAN.  By  dis 
tinguished  men  of  his  time. 

Baltimore:  R.  H.  Woodward  co.,  1891.     xvi,  479  pp.     Plates.     Por 
traits.     8°. 
LITTLE,  W.  C.     The  Sherman  of  early  days. 

(In  Overland  monthly,  n.  s.     vol.  17,  April,  1891,  pp.  358-361.) 
LONG,  JOHN  D.     General  Sherman. 

(In  his  After-dinner  and  other  speeches,  pp.  107-109.  Boston, 
1895-  8°.) 

MAGDEBURG,  F.  H.  Life  and  services  of  General  Wm.  Tecumseh  Sher 
man. 

In  Military  order  of  the  Loyal  legion  of  the  United  States.  Wis 
consin  commandery,  War  papers,  vol.  2,  pp.  1-51.  Milwaukee,  1896. 
8°. 


A  Bibliography  of  Sherman.  397 

MARCY,  HKXRY  O.     Sherman's  campaign  in  the  Carolinas. 

i  /;/  Military  order  of  the  Ix>yal  legion  of  the  United  States.  Mas 
sachusetts  commamlery,  pp.  331-348.  Boston,  1900.  8°.) 

Mot'LTOX,  C.  \V.     The  review  of  General  Shennan's  Memoirs  examined, 
chiefly  in  the  light  of  its  own  evidence. 

Cincinnati:  Robert  Clarke  &  co.,  printers,  1875.     87  pp.     8°. 

NICCOLLS,  SAMUEL  JACK.     A  tribute  to  General  William  Tecumseh  Sher 
man.      Delivered  at  the  public  memorial  service  of  Ransom  post  no. 
131,  Department  of  Missouri,  G.  A.  R.     May  3oth,  1891. 
St.  Louis?     1891?     16  pp.     8°. 

NICHOLS,  GEORGE  WARD.      The  story  of  the  great  march.      From   the 
diary  of  a  staff  officer. 

New  York:  Harper  &  brothers,  1865.  xii,  13-394  pp.  Illustrations. 
Plates.  Folded  map.  12°. 

NORTHROP,  HKXRY  DAVENPORT.     Life  and  deeds  of  General  Sherman; 
including  the  story  of  his  great  march  to  the  sea. 

Philadelphia:  National  pub.  co.,  1891.  x,  17-568  pp.  Illustrations. 
Plates.  Portraits.  12°. 

OAKKY,  DANIEL.     Marching  through  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas. 
( In  Century  magazine,  vol.  12,  Oct.,  1887,  pp.  917-927.) 

PALFREY,  K.  W.     Memoirs  of  General  William  T.  Sherman.     Review. 
(In  North  American  review,  vol.  121,  Oct.,  1875,  pp.  337-365.) 

PF.HPER,  GEORGE  W.     Personal  recollections  of  Sherman's  Campaigns, 
in  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas. 

Zanesville,  Ohio:  H.  Dunne,  1866.     522  pp.     8°. 

POSSIBLE  PRESIDENTS.     General  William  Tecumseh  Sherman. 

(In  North  American  review,  vol.  146,  April,  1884,  pp.  416-423.) 

PUTNEY,  FRAXK  H.     Incidents  of  Sherman's  march  through  the  Caro 
linas. 

(/;/  Military  order  of  the  Loyal  legion  of  the  United  States,  Wis 
consin  commanderv,  War  papers,  vol.  3,  pp.  381-387.  Milwaukee, 
1903.  8°.) 

REID,  WHITELAW.      Lieutenant-General  Win.  Tecumseh  Sherman. 

(In  his  Ohio  in  the  War,  vol.  i,  pp.  417-493.    Columbus,  1893.    8°.) 

RHODES,  JAMES  FORD.     Sherman's  March  to  the  Sea. 

(In  American  historical  review,  vol.  6,  April,   1901,  pp.   466-474.) 

ROLLINS,  JAMES  SIDNEY.     Speech  at  the  Sherman  banquet  in  St.  Louis 
on  the  25th  of  July,  1865. 

Printed  by  Wm.  F.  Switzler,  Columbia,  Missouri,  1865.     7  pp.     8°. 


398  A  Bibliography  of  Sherman. 

ROPES,  JOHN  C. 

(In  Dwight,  T.  F.,  Critical  sketches  of  some  of  the  Federal  and 
Confederate  commanders,  pp.  125-152.  Boston,  1895.  8°.  Mass,  his 
torical  society  papers,  vol.  10. ) 

— .     Same. 

(In  Atlantic  monthly,  vol.  68,  Aug.,  1891,  pp.  191-204.) 
SENOUE,  F.     Maj.  Gen.  William  T.  Sherman  and  his  campaigns. 

Chicago:  H.  M.  Sherwood,  1865,  xiv,  15-477  pp.      Port.      12°. 
SEWALL,,  FRANK.     Site  for  the  Sherman  statue. 

(/;/  American  architect  and  building  news,  vol.  51,  Feb.  i,  1896,  pp. 
52-53-) 
SHANKS,  W.  F.  G.     Recollections  of  Sherman. 

(In  Harper's  monthly  magazine,  vol.  30,  Apr.  1865.  pp.  640-646.) 
SHARLAND,    GEORGE.     Knapsack  notes    of    General     Sherman's    grand 
campaign  through  the  Empire  State  of  the  South. 

Springfield,  111. :  Jackson   &  Bradford,   printers,  1865.     68pp.     8°. 
.SHERMAN,   JOHN,    and   others.     In    commemoration    of    Gen.    William 
.Tecumseh  Sherman. 

( /;/  Military  Order  of  the  L,oyal  Legion  of  the  United  States.  New 
York  commandery,  Personal  Recollections  of  the  War  of  the  Rebel 
lion,  2d  series,  pp.  30-63.  New  York,  1897.  8°.) 

SHERMAN,  MINNIE  EWING.     My  father's  letters. 

(/;/  Cosmopolitan,  vol.  12,  Nov.,  1891,  pp.  64-69;  Dec.,  1891,  pp. 
187-194.  ) 

SHERMAN  AND  HIS  CAMPAIGNS:  A  military  biography,  by  S.  M.  Bow 
man  and  R.  B.  Irwin.  Review. 

(/;/  North  American  review,  vol.  102,  Apr.,  1866,  pp.  575-586.) 

.SHERMAN  MEMORIAL  MEETING.  Prayer  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Roberts; 
memorial  address  by  J.  B.  Foraker. 

(In  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  war  papers,  vol.  I,  pp.  367—391. 
Cincinnati,  1891.  8°.)  * 

SHERMAN'S  ADVANCE  ON  MERIDIAN.  Reports  by  Gen.  W.  H.  Jackson, 
Gen.  Richardson,  Col.  P.  B.  Starke,  Gen.  Ross,  Gen.  Ferguson,  Gen. 
Adams. 

(In  Southern  historical  society  papers,  vol.  9,  pp.  156-168;  332-344, 
Richmond,  1881.  8°.) 

SHERMAN'S  MEMOIRS. 

(/;/  Galaxy,  vol.  20,  Sept.,  1875,  pp.  325-336;  Oct.,  1875,  pp.  450- 
464.) 

Si<OCUM,  H.  W.     Sherman's  march  from  Savannah  to  Bentonville. 
•(/;/  Century  magazine,  vol.  12,  Oct.,  1887,  pp.  928-939.) 


A  Bibliography  of  Sherman.  399 

SMAI.LEY,  E.  V.     General  Sherman. 

(In  Century  magazine,  vol.  5,  Jan.,  1884,  pp.  451^462. ) 
SMITH,  HELKX  A.     William  Tecumseh  Sherman. 

(In   her  One    hundred    famous    Americans,   pp.    186-189.     N.    V., 
1902.     8°.) 

STANTON,  BKXJAMIX.  Letter  of  Lieut.  Gov.  Stanton,  in  reply  to  Hon. 
Thomas  Ewing. 

Columbus:  Printed  at  the  office  of  the  Ohio  state  journal,  1862.     2s} 
pp.     8°. 

Concerning  (ien.  Sherman  and  the  battle  of  Shijoh. 

STOXVE,  HARRIKT  BEECHER.     William  T.  Sherman. 

i  ///  her  Men  of  our  times,  pp.  423-444.     Hartford,  Conn.,  1868.     8°. ) 
THOMPSON,  J.  I*.     Major-General  William  T.  Sherman. 

(/;/  Hours  at  home,  vol.  2,  Nov.,  1865,  pp.  11-22.) 

UNITED  STATES.  Congress.  Joint  committee  on  the  conduct  of  the  tear. 
Supplemental  report  of  the  joint  committee  on  the  conduct  of  the  war, 
in  two  volumes.  Supplemental  to  Senate  report  no.  142,  38th  Con 
gress,  2d  session. 

Washington:  Government  printing  office,    1866.     2  vols.     Illustra 
tions.     Folded  maps.     8°. 

These  volumes,  issued  without  document  numhers,  form  v.  2-3  of  Senate 
reports,  39th  Congress,  ist  sess.  (nos.  1241-1242  of  the  Congressional  series). 
Reports  of  \V.  T.  Sherman,  George  H.  Thomas,  etc. 

— .  War  Depai  Intent.  Reports  of  inspection  made  in  the  summer 
of  1877- by  "Generals  P.  H.  Sheridan  and  W.  T.  Sherman  of  country 
north  of  the  Union  Pacific  railroad. 

Washington:  Government  printing  office,   1878.      no  pp.      Plates. 
Maps.     8°. 

WELLER,  ELLA  FRASEK.  Stranger  than  fiction.  A  true  short  story,  told 
mainly  in  a  series  of  unpublished  letters  by  General  Sherman. 

( ///  McClure's  magazine,  vol.  8,  Apr.,  1897,  pp.  546-550.) 
WILSON,  JAMES  GRANT.     General  Sherman. 

(In  his  Sketches  of  illustrious  soldiers,   pp.  447-466.     New  York, 

1874.       I2°.) 

WOLSELEY,  (.General  1'isconnt.     General  Sherman. 

(In  United  service  magazine,  vol.  178,  May,  1891,  pp.  97-116;  June, 
1891,  pp.  193-216;  July,  1891,  pp.  289-309.) 


INDEX. 
SUBJECTS,  PLACES,  AND  EVENTS. 


Abroad,  tour,  371. 

Acworth,  Ga..  261. 

Adairsville,  Ga.,  259. 

Address  to  the  Army,  310. 

Aid-de-camp,  138,  385. 

Aiken.  S.  C.,  332. 

Alabama,  service  in,  133. 

Alexandria.  I.a.  ,159,  246. 

Alexandria,  Va.,  in  camp  near,  360. 

Allatoona,  Ga.,  261,  267,  273;  defense,  304. 

Ancestral  scenes  in  old  England,  126. 

Andersonville,  Ga.,  expedition,  2S6;  relief 
of  Union  prisoners  attempted,  302. 

Appropriations  by  Congress,  15,  17;  ex 
hibit  of,  16,  17. 

Arkansas,  department  of,  249. 

Arkansas  Post.  Ark.. expedition,  217,218, 387 

Armies  of  the  United  States,  in  command 

«f.  37°.  3*9- 

Army  corps,     i  See  Corps. ) 

Army,  enters  the,  132. 

Army,  resigns  from,  157. 

Army.     (  Sff  name  of.) 

Arrangements  of  unveiling,  33. 

Articles  of  war,  member  of  board.  368. 

Artillery,  Fourth  United  States  Field  Bat 
tery.  49.  57. 

AsMNtant  Adjutant-General,  department, 
division,  385. 

Athens.  Ala..  234,  235;  captured  by  Forrest, 

3°'- 

Atlanta.  Ga.,  268,  270,  271,  273.  274,  275;  battle 
of,  276-284,  286,   287,  288,    289;    surrender 
and  occupation  of,  293,  294,  297,  312,  388!  , 
citizens  of,  to  be  removed,  297;  a  fortified 
city.  297. 

Atlanta's  fall  on  Confederate  politics.  302. 

Attorney  at  law,  157. 

Augusta,  Ga.,  317. 

Authorities,  125. 

Averasboro,  X.  C.,  341,389. 

Award,  committee  of.  the  award.  20. 


Had  night,  a,  376. 

Bald  or  Leggctt's  Hill,  Ga.,  275. 

Balls,  a  hobby,  370. 

Bamberg,  S.  C.,  331. 

Banquet,  joint,  of  the  societies  of  the  four 
grand  armies,  119;  decorations,  1 19;  menu, 
120;  exercises,  121;  songs,  121;  addresses. 
121. 

Banker  in  California.  149,  151,  152,  153,  154, 
156,  157- 

Base  established,  secondary,  at  Allatoona. 
Ga.,  262. 

Bas-reliefs.  30,  31,  32. 

Batteries,  running  the,  at  Vicksburg,  224. 

Battle,  first  pitched,  176. 

Battles  by  proclamation,  307. 

Bear  Creek  Bridge  wounded,  386. 

Beaufort,  S.  C.,  329. 

Beaufort  Bridge,  S.  C.,  331. 

Benediction,  99. 

Benton  flag  boat.  224. 

Ben  ton  Barracks,  St.  1,01ns,  Mo.,  command, 
camp  of  instruction,  185,  386. 

Bentonville,  N.  C.,  battle,  342,  389. 

Bibliography  of  Sherman,  391. 

Big  Black  Bridge,  Miss.,  226,  227. 

Big  Black  River,  Miss..  223,  231,  233;  pas 
sage  of,  387;  defends  the  line  of  the,  230; 
expedition  from  via  Memphis  to  Chatta 
nooga,  Tenn.,  387. 

Big  Shanty,  Ga.,  261,  263. 

Birth.  129. 

Blackville,  S.  C.,  331,  332. 

Board  on  Brevets  to  General  Officers,  mem 
ber  of,  389. 

Bolton,  Miss.,  231. 

B<x)ks.  Sherman  in,  391. 

Boomer,  A,  144. 

Boss  in  politics,  154. 

Bowling  Green.  Ky.,  181. 

Boyhood  and  youth,  131. 

Boyii'on,  Gen.  H.  V..  106. 

401 


402 


Index. 


Brandon,  Miss.,  387. 

Bridgeport,  Miss.,  235,  387. 

Brigadier-general,  I".  S.  Army,  232,  386. 

Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers,  174,  386. 

Broad  River,  S.  C.,  325,  329. 

Bronze  work,  subjects  of,  22;  dimensions,  22. 

Brooke,  Gen.  John  R.,  113. 

Bruin^burg,  Miss.,  225. 

Buckhead,  Ga.,  274. 

Buell,  Gen.,   198,  205,  251;  controversy,  374. 

Bull  Run,  Va.,  battle,  174,  17.5,  176,  386;  first 

official  report,  178. 
Bulls  Gap,  Tenn.,  343. 
Burnsville,  Miss.,  190,  191. 
Cabinet  recommendations,  368. 
Cadet  United  States  Military  Academy,  385. 
California,  arrives  in,  137:  departs  for,  136; 

en  route  to,  385. 
California  convention,  146. 
Called  to  order,  ceremonies,  50. 
Called  upon  for  a  statement  of  views,  161. 
Cameron,  Simon,  Secretary,  a  visit  from, 

182,  183,  184. 

Campaign,  plan  of,  against  Vicksbtirg  pro 
posed,  222. 

Campaign  of  1864,  251,  388. 
Canal  digging,  218,  219,  221. 
Cape  Fear  River,  N.  C.,  338;  supplies,  339; 

passage  of,  340,  389. 
Captain,  brevet,  385. 
Captain  and  commissary,  148,  149. 
Carolinas,  invasion  of,  324,  329,  389. 
Carriage  regulations,  39. 
Cartersville,  Ga.,  305. 
Cassville,  Ga.,  259,  260;  action  at,  388. 
Catawba  River,  N.  C.,  crossing,  336,  389. 
Cavalry  movements,  244,  255,  263,  271,  272, 

273,  286,  288,  289,  290,  310,  349. 
Champion  Hills,  Miss.,  battle  of,  226. 
Charleston,  S.  C..  329. 
Charlotte,  N.  C.,  336. 
Chattahoochee     River,    Ga.,    267,    268,    269; 

crossing,  270,  273,  388. 
Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  235,  236,  237,  241,  243, 

3°!,  387- 

Chattanooga  Creek,  Term.,  237,  239,  240. 

Cheravv,  X.  C.,  336;  an  incident,  337;  cap 
ture  of,  389. 

Chewalla,  Tenn.,  207. 

Chicamauga,  Tenn.,  234. 

Chickasaw,  Tenn.,  190. 

Chickasaw  Bluffs  (Yazoo  City),  Miss.,  215, 
217. 

Christmas,  a  merry,  324. 

City  Point,  Va.,  322,  345,  360. 


Civil  employment  offered,  149. 

Civil  office  declined,  170,  171. 

Closes  banking  in  San  Francisco,  opens  in 
New  York,  155,  156. 

Closing  scenes,  375. 

Closing  up  on  Atlanta,  276. 

Closing  tip  on  Richmond,  348. 

Coast,  in  touch  with,  339. 

Collierville,  Tenn.,  action,  387. 

Colonel  Thirteenth  U.  S.  Infantry,  172,386. 

Columbia,  S.  C.,  323;  occupation  01,  332; 
burning  of,  335,  389. 

Columbus,  Fort,  N.  Y.,  385. 

Columbus,  Ky.,  meeting  at,  213. 

Column,  head  of,  forward.  47. 

Commemorative  gayeties,  103. 

Commissary,  137,  148,  149;  New  Orleans, 
I<a.,  385;  St.  Iyouis,  Mo.,  385. 

Commission,  the  Sherman  Statue,  11. 

Committee,  General  Sherman  Statue,  9. 

Committee  of  award,  20. 

Competition,  conditions  of,  17;  entries;  18; 
rules  of,  17. 

Conclusion,  in,  99. 

Conditions  of  competition,  17. 

Confederate  Army,  surrender  of,  389. 

Confers  with  the  governors  of  Indiana  and 
Illinois,  179. 

Confidence  on  the  part  of  General  Halleck, 
187. 

Congaree  River,  S.  C.,  332. 

Congress,  3,  n,  15,  16,  20,  25;  resolution  of 
thanks,  390. 

Congressional  cooperation,  15. 

CoTispiracy  nipped,  222. 

Contents,  3. 

Continental  escort,  42. 

Contract,  execution  of,  20;  terms  of,  21. 

Contributions,  17;  private,  18. 

Convention,  California,  146. 

Coosawahatchee  River,  S.  C.,  325. 

Corinth,  Miss.,  movements  against  and 
siege,  204,  205;  strategic  importance,  205, 

x  329;  Confederate  attack,  209. 

Corps,  Army.  (Also  under  Armies.) 
Fourth,  275,  301;  Ninth.  231;  Tenth,  342, 
348;  Thirteenth,  218,  228,  231:  Fourteenth, 
275  292,  303.  308,  309,  312,  348,  361,  364;  Fif 
teenth,  2l8,  221,  226,  228,  231,  233,  235,  238, 
239,  242,  243,  277,  278,  280,  282,  283,  284,  292, 

308,  309,  319,  330,  348,  361,  364,  387;  Six 
teenth,  218,  235,  243,  267,  269,  277,  278,  279, 
280,  281,  283,  284,  364;  Seventeenth,  218,  219, 
227,  228,  229,  235  243,  244,  266,  271,  275,  277, 
278,  280,  281,  282,  283,  284,  292,  301,  308,  309, 


Index. 


403 


Corps,  Army— Continued. 

348,  361.  364;  Twentieth,  275,  291,  293,  295, 
303,  308.  309,  337,  34.S,  361;  Twenty-third, 
3*9.  342.  348. 
Correspondence    respecting    Atlanta,   297, 

29«.  299. 

Cost  of  statue,  22. 

Cotton  question,  212,  326. 

Counter  cavalry  movements,  290. 

Couriers  to  the  coast,  339. 

Covington,  C.a.,  313. 

Cowles,  Capt.  \Vm.  S.,  41,  42. 

Coxs  Bridge,  X.  C.,  343. 

Cross  Keys,  da..  273. 

Cumlierland.  Army  of,  235:  Department  of, 
.'49.  253,  254.  255,  268,  284  287,  294;  com 
mand  of,  181;  relieved,  185.  386;  trans 
ferred  to.  lyS,  179;  Society  of  the  Army  of 
the.  41;  reunion,  106,  107,  120;  organiza 
tion.  106. 

Dallas.  C.a.,  battle  of,  260,  261,  388. 

Dalton,  C.a.,  Iwttle,  388. 

Davis,  Jefferson,  flight  of,  359. 

Death  his  only  conqueror,  377 

Death's  awakening,  131. 

Decatur,  Ala.,  274. 

Declines  command  of  arsenal  at  St.  I^ouis, 
170.  171. 

Decorations,  flag,  34. 

Dedication,  the,  49. 

Defeat  in  the  East;  successes  in  the  West, 
208. 

Defenses,  field,  266. 

Department  and  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
in  command  of,  235. 

Departments,  military — Arkansas,  249; 
Cumberland,  235,  2411;  Ohio,  235,  249; 
Tennessee,  235,  249. 

Departs  with  honor,  165,  166. 

Dick  Robinson,  Ky..  camp,  181. 

Dimensions  of  bronze  figures.  22. 

Diplomatic  mission,  a.  366. 

Dispatch  of  March  3,  355. 

Dispatches  to  the  North,  340. 

Diversion  not  in  the  articles  of  war,  302. 

Division,  command  of.  in  the  Tennessee  and 
Mississippi  campaign.  190.  386;  military, 
of  the  Mississippi,  in  command.  388. 

l>odge,  Maj.-Gen.  (1.  M.,  9.  n.  13,  17,  19,  20, 
21,  23,  24.  36,  41,  49,  50,  53.  57.  61,  68,  79.  83. 
91,  99,  104,  105,  no,  235,  236,  237.  239,  243, 
25°,  257,  269-  276,  277,  278,  279,  280,  282,  284, 
285,  291,  365,  370. 

Durham  Station,  N.  C.,  surrender  of  Gen 
eral  Johnston  and  the  Confederate  Army, 
350.  358,  38- 


Kast  I'oint,  C.a.,  287,  289. 

H;istjM>rt,  Ala.,  190,  235,  387. 

Kdisto  Crossing,  S.  C.,  332. 

Education,  131. 

Elizabethtown.  Ky.,  camp  at,  181. 

Eml>arrassing   situation,   an.    160,   161,   162, 

163.  164,  165,  166,   167. 
Emblems,  30.  31,  32. 
Enemy's  strength  in  Georgia,  255. 
Entries  for  competition,  18. 
Escort  (Continental),  42. 
Etiquette,  a  question  of,  346. 
Europe,  tour  of,  professional  duty,  390. 
Ewing,  Hon.  Thomas.  131. 
Exercises,  order  of.  49. 
Exhibit,  model,  19. 

Expedition  against  Jackson.  Miss..  231. 
False  hopes,  2^2. 

Family  antecedents  in  New  England,  127. 
Farewell,  363,  364. 

Fayetteville,  X.  C.,  capture,  33<>.  339,  389. 
Feint  on  Haynes  Bluff,  Miss..  225. 
Field  defenses,  265. 
Field  orders  for  the  great  march,  310. 
Field  orders  and  farewell.  363. 
Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  in  command  of,  2iS. 
Figures,  30.  31,  32. 
Final  dispatches.  308. 
Final  judgment  on  selected  models,  19. 
Final  movements.  34*. 
Finale  of  rebellion,  361,  362,  363. 
Finances,  16. 

F'lag.  stands  lioldly  by,  163. 
Flag  decorations,  34. 
Fleet,  rescued,  220. 
Floral  display,  35. 
Florence.  Ala.,  235. 
Florida,  service  in,  133. 
Foraging  on  the  march,  314. 
Foreboding!  treated  with  derision,  168. 
Forging  ahead.  217. 
Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  360. 
Forty  rounds   in  the    cartridge    box    and 

twenty  in  the  pocket,  238. 
Foundation  of  statue,  21. 
Fourteen  Mile  Creek,  Miss.,  387. 
Fourth  of  July  celebration,  267. 
Frantic  opposition  on  paper,  315. 
Friars  I'oint.  Miss.,  215. 
Friendship  tx.-tween  Grant   and  Sherman 

l>egun,  i  £9. 
Funds,  raising  of,  14. 
Funeral,  378,  379. 
Funeral  train,  379. 
Gaylesburg,    C.a..    liegins    plans    for    the 

march,  307. 


404 


Index. 


General,  I".  S.  Army,  386. 

Georgia,  invasion  of,  252,  253,  254,  255,  256, 

257,    258,    259,    260,    261,    262,    263,   264-388; 

army  of,  348;  early  service  in,  133. 
Germans  loyal,  169. 
Gold,  discovery  of,  141;  official   herald  of, 

'43- 

Gold  fake.  Jefferson  Davis,  359. 
Goldshoro,  X.  C.,  the  objective,  331,  339,  340, 

341;  end  of  great  inarch,  342;  occupation, 

389;  comments  on,  342. 
Gordon,  Ga.,  315. 

Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  124. 
Grand  Gulf,  Miss.,  225;  advance,  387. 
Grand  Junction,  Tenn.,  207. 
Grant,  Gen.  V .  S.,  180,  187,  188,  189,  192,  193, 

196,  197,  201    203,  204,  205,  206,  208,  209,  213, 

214,    215,  2l6,  2l8,   219,   221,  222,  223,   224,   225, 

226,  227,  teS.  229,  230,  231,  232,  233,  234,  235, 
236,  237,  238,  239,  240,  242,  246,  247,  248,  249, 
250,  251,  252,  256,  287,  296,  301,  305,  306,  307, 
308,  321,  322,  323,  324,  326,  340,  341,  343,  344, 
345.  346,  347,  348,  349,  35°.  353,  354,  355,  35&, 
357,  35S.  36'i  366-  367,  S68-  369.  370. 

Grant  and  Sherman,  a  turning  point,  206. 

Graysville,  Ga.,  242. 

Greensboro.  N.  C.,  358. 

Grenada,  Miss.,  214,  387. 

Grosvenor,  Gen.  Charles  H.,  address,  85. 

Guests,  the,  40;  seating  of  the,  42. 

Halleck,  General,  182,  185,  iS6,  187,  iSS,  189, 

190,   202,  204,   205,  207,   208,  234,  295,  297,    303, 

3°7.  323. 

Hanging  Rock,  N.  C.,  336. 
Hankmsons  Ferry,  Miss.,  225. 
Hard  Times,  La.    225. 
Hardeeville,  S.  C..  325. 
Haynes  Bluff,  Miss.,  215,  221,  223,  225,  227, 

387. 

Head  of  column,  forward,  47. 

Headquarters,  146:  troubles,  371. 

Helena,  Ark.,  214. 

"Hell  of  a  fix,"  169. 

Henderson,  Gen.  David  B.,  oration,  69. 

Henderson,  Gen.  Thomas  J.,  address,  93. 

Hillsboro,  N.  C.,  350. 

Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  321. 

Hindman,  Ark.,  Fort,  217;  carries  by 
storm,  217. 

Hobbies,  369. 

Holly  Springs,  Miss.,  208,  209,  214,  216. 

Home  building  in  the  western  wilds,  129. 

Honors,  57. 

Hood,  pursuit  of,  into  Alabama,  with  fre 
quent  engagements,  303,  304,  388. 


Horn,  sailing  round  the,  136. 

Horses,  Grant,  369. 

Hospitality,  local,  116. 

Howard,  Gen.  O.  O.,  309,  313,  320,  322,  342, 
375-  378;  court  of  inquiry,  390. 

Hurlbut,  General,  235. 

Hurry  order  for  Chickamauga,  234. 

Illness,  376. 

Illustrations,  list  of,  7. 

Indian  peace  commissioner,  369. 

"Insane"  incident,  183,  185. 

Insanity  canards  deprecated  by  General 
Halleck,  186;  changed  front,  iRS. 

Inscriptions,  30.  31,  32. 

Inspection  duty  at  Washington,  172,  173; 
on  frontiers,  390. 

Instruction,  camp  of,  at  Benton  Barracks, 
in  temporary  charge,  186. 

Introduction.  13. 

Introductory  address  by  General  Dodge,  53. 

Invitation  to  sculptors,  17;  to  unveiling,  36. 

Invocation,  the,  50. 

Island  No.  10,  Ky.,  Mississippi  River,  205, 
207. 

luka,  Miss.,  235. 

Jackson,  Miss.,  226;  capture,  387;  pursuit 
of  relieving  force,  387. 

Jackson,  Tenn.,  209,  213. 

Jacksonville,  Fla..  302. 

Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo.,  385. 

Johnson,  President,  366,  367,  368. 

Johnston,  Gen.  Joseph  E.,  226,  230,  231,  252, 
255.  258,  259,  261.  268,  273,  274.  34-,  350,  351, 
352.  353,  354,  357,  358,  376;  surrender  of, 
correspondence,  350;  meeting,  350;  terms, 
350;  conference,  351;  original  terms 
signed,  352;  Sherman's  comments,  352; 
outline  of  original  terms,  353;  disap 
proval,  354;  arrival  of  Grant  at  Sherman's 
headquarters,  354;  notification  of  John 
ston,  354;  unconditional  surrender,  358; 
new  terms,  358;  at  funeral,  368. 

Jonesboro,  Ga.,  battle  of,  292,  388. 

Keim,  De  B.  Randolph,  125,  153,  384. 

Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  movement  on, 
261,  263,  264;  battle  of,  266,  267,  304,  368. 

Kentucky,  affairs  in,  178,  179,  180,  181,  182, 
183,  184,  185;  invasion  of,  resisted,  180. 

Kindness,  acts  of,  to  old  acquaintance,  333, 
3.34,  335,  336. 

Kingston,  Ga.,  259,  308;  an  address  to  the 
army,  310. 

Kit  Carson,  142. 

Knoxville,  Tenn.,  relief  of,  242,  343,  388. 

Lafayette,  Tenn.,  207,  208. 


Index. 


405 


I.agrange,  Miss.,  207,  213. 

Lake  Providence,  La.,  219,  223. 

Laurel.  339. 

Laurels,  resting  on  their,  299. 

Leave,  on,  385. 

"  Leave"  for  twenty  clays,  186. 

Leaves  the  Army,  157. 

Leggctt's  Hill,  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  275. 

Legislature  on  the  wing,  315. 

Lieutenant,  first,  385;  second,  385. 

Lieutenant-General,  I".  S.  Army,  386. 

Lincoln,  President,  169,  173,  177,  178,  216,  294, 

345-  346,  347,  350,  351.  352-  355- 

Lithonia,  Ga.,  313. 

Logan,  Gen.  John  A.,  282,  324,  330,  364. 

Lone  Mountain.  Ga.,  273. 

Long  Bridge,  D.  €.,361. 

Lookout  Mountain.  Tenn.,  236,  237. 

Losses:  Bull  Run.  176;  Shiloh.  200,  201: 
Chickasaw  Bluffs,  215;  Arkansaw  Post, 
217;  operations  around  Vicksburg,  231; 
Chattanooga,  241:  Georgia,  May,  1864,  262; 
Kenesaw,  266;  June  10  to  July  3,  268;  bat 
tle  of  Atlanta,  283;  Atlanta  campaign, 
300;  Allatoona,  304;  march  to  the  sea, 
total,  326.  341. 

Lost  advantages,  202,  205. 

Lost  Mountain,  Ga.,  263,  264. 

Louisiana,  secession  of,  164;  seminary  of 
learning,  159. 

Louisville,  Ga..  319. 

Louisville.  Ky.,  protection  of,  386;  closing 
scenes,  364. . 

Lynch burg.  Va.,  343. 

McAlister,  Fort,  Ga.,  capture,  319,  320,  389. 

McPherson,  Gen.  J.  B.,  191,  226,  228,  232, 
235-  243.  249-  251,  252-  253,  257,  261,  271,  273, 
274,  276,  277,  278,  279,  280,  313. 

Macon,  Ga..  expedition,  286. 

Madison,  Ga.,  310. 

Mail,  first  overland,  141. 

Mail  steamer  via  Panama,  145. 

Major-General,  U.  S.  Army,  290,  386. 

Major-general  of  militia,  154. 

"  Man  of  sanguine  mind  "  wanted,  185. 

Major-general  of  volunteers,  203.  386. 

Manassas.  Va.,  campaign,  386. 

Manchester,  Va.,  360. 

March,  longest,  in  history,  342;  comments, 
542. 

March  to  Richmond,  Va.,and  Washington, 
I).  C,  389. 

March  to  the  sea,  suggested.  296:  author 
ized,  306;  concentrating  for.  307,308;  be 
gins,  312,389;  origin  of  the  song,  333. 

vS.  Doc.  320,  5-S-z — -27 


Marietta,  Ga.,  260,  267,  273,  388. 

Marine  Band,  I'nited  States.  43,  48,  49,  57, 
100,  117. 

Marriage,  148. 

Mi-. inurements  of  monument,  24. 

Medallions,  31.  32. 

Memorial,  inception  of,  13. 

Memphis,  Tenn..  movement  on,  and  occu 
pation,  207,  234,  386;  in  command  of  dis 
trict  of,  JOS,  209,  2IO,  211,  212,  213,  386,  388. 

Meridian,  Miss.,  expedition  to,  243,  244,  245, 
246,  250,  388. 

Metrojxjlis,  seeks  whirl,  374. 

Mexican  war,  135. 

Mexico,  special  mission  to,  367,  389;  peace 
with,  144. 

Military  base,  Memphis  as,  213. 

Military  college,  superintendent  of,  159. 

Milledgeville,  Ga.,  the  first  objective,  312; 
march  to,  313;  occupied,  315. 

Millen,  Ga.,  316,317,  318. 

Millikens  Bend,  La.,  218.  222. 

Mines,  visits  the  gold,  143. 
.  Minute  Men,  42,  100. 

'•  Missionary   Ridge,  Ga,,  236,  237,  239;  battle 
of,  240,  241,  387. 

Mississippi,  army  of,  188.  202,  205.  207;  mili 
tary  division  of  the,  in  command   (De 
partments  of  Ohio,  Missouri,  Arkansas), 
249,389. 

Mississippi  River  opened,  231. 

Missouri,  Department  of,  inspection  duty, 
386;  division  of,  in  command,  389. 

Mobilizing  troops  for  Grant,  188,  189. 
!  Model  exhibit,  acceptance,  19. 

Models,  sculptors  entering,  18. 

Monterey,  Cal.,  191,  385. 

Monterey,  Miss.,  191. 

Monument,  Sherman,  9,  13,  15,  16,  17-24,  25, 
17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30, 
3't  S2,  57  (further  details  indexed);  the 
story  of,  27. 

Morgan,  Fort,  Ala.,  385. 

Moscow,  Tenn.,  207. 

Moultrie.  Fort,  S.  C.,  385. 

Movement  into  the  Carolines,  324. 

Muldraughs  Hill,  Ky.,  occupation  of,  180, 
181,  386. 

Murder  not  war,  318. 

Music  at  unveiling.  57. 

"My  Country  'tis  of  Thee,"  124. 

Napoleon,  Ark.,  217,  218. 

Nashville,  Tenn..  Headquarters,  388;  meet 
ing  of  generals,  250. 

National  Sculpture  Society,  19,  20,  21. 


406 


Index. 


Negotiations  which  came  to  naught,  300. 

Negrg  question,  326;  an  untimely  interfer 
ence,  327,  328,  329. 

Negro's  idea  of  war,  317. 

Neuse  River,  N.  C.,  343. 

New  Hope  Church,  Ga.,  260,  261. 

New  Orleans,  L,a.,  207,  246. 

New  York,  service  in,  133. 

New  York  banker,  156. 

Nolin  Creek,  Ky.,  181. 

Objective  gained,  341. 

Offensive,  Sherman  on  the,  238. 

Ogeechee  River,  Ga  ,  318,  319,  321. 

Ohio,  Army  of  the,  188,  205,  235  (Depart 
ment),  249,  253,  254,  255,  268,  285,  287,  294; 
Army  of,  at  Decature,  294;  Society  of  the 
Army  of,  38,41;  reunion,  115,  120;  organi 
zation,  115;  commemorative  exercises, 

"5- 

Old  Tycoon,  381. 

Oliver,  Robert  Shaw,  36, 49. 

Oratory,  Sherman  in,  61. 

Orchard  Knoll,  Tenn..  241. 

Order,  called  to,  50. 

Order  of  exercises,  49. 

Ordered  to  the  front,  190. 

Organization  of  command,  Bull  Run,  174; 
Shiloh,  194;  river  campaign  against  Vicks- 
burg,  215;  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  235; 
invasion  of  Georgia,  253,  254,  255;  march 
to  the  sea,  309;  campaign  in  the  Caro- 
linas,  330;  final  movements,  348. 

Osabaw  Sound,  Ga.,  319. 

Out  of  business,  157,  167. 

Outfit,  the  general's  field,  314. 

Overland  mail,  first,  142. 

Owl  Creek,  Tenn.,  191. 

Oxford,  Miss.,  214,  215. 

Pacific  railways,  364,  365, 366. 

Paducah,  Ky.,  190,386;  in  command  at,  187, 
188,  190. 

Pageant  of  war,  a,  43. 

Paices  Ferry,  Ga.,  268. 

Panama  steamer,  145. 

Parade,  the,  45;  formation,  45. 

Parade  rest,  48. 

Pass,  a  military,  384. 

Payments  forstatue,  22;  how  to  be  made,  23. 

Pea  Ridge  (Monterey),  Tenn.,  191. 

Peace  with  Mexico,  144. 

Peace  duties,  364. 

Peach   Tree  Creek,   Ga.,   274;  combats  of, 

275,  388. 
Pedee  River,  S.  C.,  336;   crossing,  338,  339, 

389. 


Pedestal,  appropriated  for,  16,  22. 

Pemberton,  225,  226. 

Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  funeral 

train,  379. 

Pickering,  Tenn.,  Fort,  210,  213. 
Pillow,  Tenn.,  Fort,  207. 
Pine  Mountain,  Ga.,  263,264. 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  385. 

Pittsburg  Banding,  Tenn.,  190,  191,  192. 
Plans  discussed,  323. 
Plaza,  Sherman,  25. 
Pocotaligo,  S.  C.,  325. 
Police  arrangements,  38. 
Politics  in,  152,  329. 
Pooler  Station,  Ga.,  318. 
Port  Gibson,  Miss.,  225. 
Port  Hudson,  Miss.,  231. 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.C.,  321. 
Porter,  Admiral  D.,  fleet,  214,  219,  220,  221, 

224,  246,  355. 
Potomac,    Army,   command   brigade,   386; 

Department  of  the   Grand  Army  of   the 

Republic,  43;  Society  of  the  Army  of  the, 

38,    41;    reunion,    112;   organization,    113; 

commemorative    ceremonies,    113;    local 

hospitality,  116,  120. 
President,  the,  33,   34,  40,   42,  47,  49,  61,  63; 

address,  99,   100,   297;    escort,   42;  arrival 

of,  42. 

President  of  a  street  railroad,  168,  169. 
Presidential  nomination  refused,  373. 
Presidential  pleasantries.  287. 
Print,  resolution  to,  2. 
Prisoners  of  war,  358. 
Procession,  route  of,  47,  376. 
Prophetic  view  of  the  situation,  182,  183;  an 

"insane  request,"  184. 
Public  apathy,  168. 
Public  sorrow  and  private  grief,  377. 
Quartermaster,  137. 
Raiding  communications,  290. 
Railroad  building,  feats  of,  305. 
Railway  surveys,  147. 
Raleigh,  N.  C.,  323,  349,  359,  389. 
Raymond,  Miss.,  battle  of,  226. 
Reception  committee,  42,  101. 
Reception  in  honor  of  the  societies  of  the 

four  grand  armies,  116. 
Reconnoissance  above  Pittsburg  Landing, 

190. 

Reconstruction,  solicited   views  upon,  232. 
Record,    official,    of  services,    385;  in    the 

Johnston  negotiations,  356. 
Recruiting  duty,  135,  385. 
Red  River,  L,a.,  Expedition,  246,  247. 


Index. 


407 


Regulations,  Army,  member  of  Board  on. 

Relieved  of  command  of  the  armies  at  his 

own  request,  389. 
Reminiscence,  a,  333. 
Reports  to  Washington  on  real  conditions, 

185. 

Republic.  Grand  Army  of  the,  14,  43,  100. 
Resaca,  Ga.,  258;  battle,  388;  defense  of,  305. 
Retaliatory  measures,  306. 
Retired  from  active  service,  385,  390. 
Retires  from  the  Army,  372. 
Reunions,  103. 

Review,  in,  47;  the  grand,  361,  362,  363. 
Richmond,  Va.,  menaced,  343;  base  against, 

won;  closing  on,  348;  fall  of ,  349;  march 

to,  359,  360,  389. 

Ringgold,  Ga..  257;  pursuit  to,  387. 
River   campaign    against   Vicksburg,   214, 

Road  building  toward  the  Pacific,  158. 

Rocky  Mount.  X.  C.,  336. 

Kohl-Smith,  Carl,  sketch  of,  26;  model  ac 
cepted,  20. 

Kohl-Smith,  Mrs.  Carl,  27. 

Rome,  Ga.,  259,  301,  305,  388. 

Roosevelt,  Theodore,  the  President;  a 
sentiment  on  Sherman,  125:  President, 
address  of,  63. 

Root,  Elihu.  Secretary  of  War.  n. 

Roswell,  Ga.,  269;  bridge  building,  269. 

Route  of  march,  47. 

Ruffs  Station,  Ga.,  assault  on,  267,388. 

Ruler  of  a  city.  208.  209,  210,  211. 

Ruler  of  a  State.  294;  master  of  four,  294. 

Rules  of  competition,  17. 

Rush,  not  in  tactics,  153. 

Sailing  round  the  Horn,  136. 

Saint  Louis,  Mo.,  a  visit  to,  134;  banquet. 
364:  remains  at,  368. 

Salkahatchie  swamps,  S.  C..  march  in,  389. 

Salute  at  unveiling,  57. 

San  Francisco.  Cal.,  144;  on  a  prospecting  ' 
tour.  149. 

Sanderville.  Ga..  316. 

Satterlee,  Rt.  Rev.  H.  V.,  benediction,  50.      \ 

Savannah,  Ga..  surrender.  389;  on  the  road  ' 
to,  317,  318,  319;  siege,  322;  abandoned  by 
the  enemy.  323,  324,  325:  farewell  to,  329.  ! 

Savannah.  Tenn.,  190. 

Scene  of  later  triumphs,  visiting,  135. 

Schofield.  Gen.  J.  M.,  115.  249,  252,  253,  258, 
273,  274,  306.  341.  342,  360.  375. 

Scott.  Gen.  Winfield.  172.  173. 


Sculptor,  death  of,  24;  flowers  and  speeches 
at  grave  of,  55:  sketch  of,  26. 

Sculptors,  invitation  to,  17;  entering  com 
petitive  models,  18. 

Sculpture  society,  national,  19,  20,  21. 

Sea,  march  to,  326. 

Secession,  views  concerning,  163. 

Second  Corps,  Army  of  the  Mississippi,  in 
command  of,  216. 

Sedalia.  Mo.,  inspects  camp  at,  186. 

Self-vindication,  201. 

Seminary  of  learning  and  military  acad 
emy  opens,  160. 

Services,  official  record  of,  385. 

Sherman,  William  Teciimseh,  life  and 
character,  380;  statue  committee,  9;  a 
memorial  sketch,  125;  ancestral  scenes 
in  Old  England.  126;  family  antecedents 
in  New  England.  127;  home  building  in 
western  wilds,  birth  of  William  Tecum- 
seh  Sherman,  129;  death's  awakening, 
a  foster  father,  boyhood  and  youth,  131; 
enters  West  Point  and  the  Army.  132; 
service  in  New  York,  Florida.  Alabama, 
South  Carolina,  and  Georgia,  133;  visits 
scenes  of  later  triumphs,  135;  recruiting. 
Mexican  war,  135;  sailing  round  the 
Horn,  136;  California,  quartermaster, 
commissary,  aid,  adjutant-general,  137; 
discovery  of  gold,  first  overland  mail, 
141:  official  herald  of  gold,  143;  peace 
with  Mexico — a  txsomer,  144;  boards  first 
"Panama"  steamer,  surveyor,  California 
convention,  first  move  for  a  transconti 
nental  railroad,  145;  off  for  Washington, 
meets  President  Taylor,  marriage,  147; 
captain  and  commissary,  two  shipwrecks 
in  one  day,  148;  leaves  the  Army,  l>anker, 
151:  a  rush  not  in  tactics,  major-general 
of  militia.  153:  Sherman  in  politics,  154; 
closes  in  San  Francisco,  opens  in  Wall 
street.  155;  attorney  at  law,  157;  superin 
tendent  of  a  military  college,  159;  an 
embarrasing  situation,  160;  stands  boldly 
for  the  flag,  163;  departs  with  honor,  165; 
president  of  a  street  railway,  forebod- 
ings  met  with  derision,  i6S;  civil  office 
declined,  tenders  his  services,  170;  colo 
nel  Thirteenth  Infantry,  t".  S.  Army,  172; 
brigadier-general.  Bull  run,  174;  a  visit 
by  President  Lincoln,  177;  transferred  to 
the  Department  of  the  Cumberland,  17$; 
in  command  of  the  Department  of  the 
Cumberland.  181;  an  "insane"  incident. 


408 


Index. 


Sherman,  William  Tecumseh — Continued. 
183;  inspection  duty,  in  command  at  Ben- 
ton  barracks,  185;  the  movement  which 
broke  the  back  of  the  rebellion,  187;  at  i 
Paducah,  Ky.,  187;  "insanity"  changed 
front,  188;  friendship  between  Grant  and 
Sherman  begun,  189;  commands  a  divi 
sion,  190;  at  Shiloh,  194;  the  battle,  195: 
self-vindication,  201;  possibilities  of  Shi 
loh,  202;  major-general  of  volunteers, 
a  new  shuffle,  203;  at  Corinth,  204;  how 
Sherman  saved  Grant  to  the  country,  206; 
in  command  of  the  district  of  Memphis, 
208;  ruler  of  a  city,  209;  cotton  question, 
212;  Memphis  as  a  military  base,  213; 
river  campaign  against  Vicksburg,  214; 
command  of  the  Secord  Corps,  Army  of 
the  Mississippi,  216;  Arkansas  post,  217; 
forging  ahead,  217;  command  of  the  Fif 
teenth  Army  Corps,  218;  operations  above 
Vicksburg,  219;  operations  below  Vicks 
burg,  221;  nips  a  conspiracy,  222;  Sher 
man  makes  a  feint  and  Grant  a  move,  225; 
the  campaign  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg, 
225;  attempts  to  storm  the  city  unsuccess 
ful,  227;  the  city  (siege),  229;  defends  the 
besieging  army  from  the  rear,  230;  com 
mands  an  expedition  against  Jackson, 
231;  the  Mississippi  controlled  "  unvexed 
to  the  sea,"  231;  views  sought  on  recon 
struction,  232;  a  hurry  order,  234;  com 
mands  the  Department  and  Army  of 
the  Tennessee,  235;  at  Chattanooga,  236; 
"  forty  rounds  in  the  cartridge  box  and 
twenty  in  the  pocket,"  238;  again  on  the 
offensive,  238;  Missionary  Ridge,  239;  re 
lief  of  Knoxville,  242;  thanks  of  Con 
gress,  243;  the  expedition  .to  Meridian, 
Miss.,  243;  at  New  Orleans,  246;  Grant's 
appreciative  tribute  to  Sherman,  247; 
Sherman's  pathetic  tribute  to  Grant,  248; 
commands  the  military  division  of  the 
Mississippi,  249;  chapter  of  incidents 
249;  planning  a  closing  campaign,  251; 
preparations  for  the  invasion  of  Georgia, 
252;  Sherman's  army  of  invasion,  252; 
field  orders  concerning  impedimenta, 
254;  Grant's  final  orders  and  Sherman's 
reply,  256;  the  campaign  in  Georgia,  257; 
the  battle  of  Dallas,  260;  results  of  the 
operations  of  May,  261;  establishes  a 
secondary  base,  262;  movements  on  Kene- 
saw,  263;  battle  of  Kenesaw,  266;  cam 
paign  gallantries,  267;  a  real  "Fourth  of 
July,"  268;  crossing  the  Chattahoochee — 


Sherman,  William  Tecumseh — Continued, 
approaching  Atlanta,  270;  a  cavalry  di 
version,  271;  Atlanta  next,  273;  before 
Atlanta,  274;  combats  on  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  275;  closing  up,  276;  the  battle 
of  Atlanta,  276,  one  of  the  decisive 
battles  of  the  civil  war,  284;  operations 
around  and  siege  of  Atlanta,  286;  Pres 
idential  pleasantries,  287;  cavalry  move 
ments,  288;  major-general,  Regular  Army, 
290;  raiding  Sherman's  communications. 
290;  counter  cavalry  movements,  290; 
false  hopes,  292;  battle  of  Jonesboro, 
292;  fall  of  Atlanta,  293;  occupation  of 
Atlanta — ruler  of  a  State,  294;  necessities 
of  war,  295;  General  Grant's  plans  and 
appreciation,  296;  march  to  the  sea  sug 
gested,  296;  fate  of  Atlanta,  297;  opposing 
chiefs  take  up  the  pen,  297;  resting  on 
its  laurels,  299;  statistics  of  the  campaign, 
299;  negotiations  which  came  to  naught, 
300;  a  diversion  not  iu  the  Articles  of 
War,  302;  Hood  off  for  Tennessee,  with 
Thomas  after  him,  303;  pursuit  of  Hood, 
303;  "I  can  make  Georgia  howl,"  305; 
Washington  willing,  306;  retaliatory 
measures,  306;  fighting  battles  by  procla 
mation,  307;  concentrating  for  the  march 
to  the  sea,  307;  "Go  on  as  you  propose," 
308;  "All  right,"  308;  organization  of  the 
Army,  309;  field  orders,  310;  destruction 
of  Atlanta,  312;  march  to  the  sea,  312; 
to  Milledgeville,  313;  those  saddle  bags, 
314;  a  legislature  on  the  wing,  315;  frantic 
appeals,  315;  next  stop  will  be  Milieu, 
316;  on  the  road  to  Savannah,  317;  "The 
sea!  the  sea!!"  318;  taking  of  Fort  Mc- 
Alister,  319;  visits  the  scout  boat,  321; 
siege  of  Savannah,  322;  enemy  abandons 
Savannah,  323;  a  merry  Christmas,  324; 
again  011  the  move,  324;  invasion  of  the 
Carolinas,  — ;  finale  of  the  "March  to 
the  sea,"  326;  again  tendered  the  thanks 
of  Congress,  326;  cotton  and  negro  ques 
tion  once  more,  326;  triumph  of  another 
kind,  328;  from  politics  again  to  war,  329; 
campaign  in  the  Carolinas,  329;  Golds- 
boro  the  objective,  331;  crossing  the 
South  Edisto,  332;  occupation  of  Colum 
bia,  332;  a  reminiscence  of  former  days, 
333;  crossing  the  Catawba,  336;  Cheraw, 
337;  war  and  wine,  338;  crossing  the 
Pedee,  339;  again  in  touch  with  the  coast, 
339;  on  to  Goldsboro,  340;  how  heroes 
feel,  341;  "objective"  gained— base 


Index. 


409 


Sherman,  William  Tecumseh— Continued, 
against  Richmond,  341;  longest  inarch 
in  history,  342;  enters  the  theater  of 
Grant's  operations,  343;  reminiscent,  344; 
girding  up  the  lines,  345;  a  visit  to  City 
Point,  345;  something  overlooked,  346; 
parting  words,  347;  the  final  round  up, 
348;  fall  of  Richmond,  349;  capture  of 
Raleigh,  349;  flag  of  truce  from  the 
enemy,  350;  consider  terms  of  surrender, 
350;  the  original  terms  signed,  352;  out 
line  of  the  original  terms,  353;  disap 
proval  of  terms  of  surrender — arrival  of 
Grant,  354;  dispatch  of  March  3,  355; 
Admiral  Porter's  interpretation,  355: 
making  the  record,  356;  Johnston's  un 
conditional  surrender,  358;  flight  of 
Jefferson  Davis  and  the  gold  fake,  359: 
the  victor's  move  on  Richmond,  359;  on 
to  Washington,  360;  the  grand  review — 
the  finale,  361;  field  orders  and  farewell. 
363:  peace,  duties,  and  Pacific  railways, 
364;  on  a  strange  mission,  366;  a  trouble 
some  situation,  368;  Indian  peace  com 
missioner,  369;  mounting  a  hobby,  369; 
in  command  of  the  armies  of  the  United 
tktates.  370;  a  tour  abroad,  371;  head 
quarters'  troubles,  371;  retires  from 
active  duty,  372;  refuses  a  Presidential 
nomination,  373:  stick  to  the  text.  374; 
seeks  the  whirl  of  the  metropolis,  374; 
death  of  Mrs.  Sherman,  374;  an  incident 
in  which  Mrs.  Sherman  figured,  375; 
closing  scenes,  375;  a  "  bad  night,"  376: 
death  his  only  Conqueror,  377;  public 
sorrow  and  private  grief,  377;  a  sorrow 
ing  throng,  378;  the  funeral  train.  379; 
"taps, "380;  William  Tecumseh  Sherman, 
380;  in  the  (official)  Record,  385;  in  books 
and  bibliography.  391;  in  art,  57;  in 
oratory,  61. 

Sherman,  Mrs.,  death  of,  374  ;  incident,  375. 

Sherman,  family,  received.  105,  123. 

Sherman  Monument,  9,  13.  17  ;  the  story  of, 
*7- 

Sherman  Plaza.  25. 

Sherman's  tribute  to  Grant,  248. 

Shiloh,  battle  of,  386;  possibilities  of,  202; 
Sherman  at,  192  ;  position  of  army,  192  ; 
movements  of  the  enemy,  193.  194 ;  posi 
tion  of  division,  194;  battle,  195,  196.  197, 
198,  199,  200,  201. 

Shiloh  Church,  Tenn.,  192. 

Ships  Gap.  Ga.,  257. 


Shipwrecked,  149,  150. 

Sickles,  Gen.  Daniel  K.,  address,  81. 

Site  of  statue,  25. 

Slavery,  speech  concerning,  162. 

Slocum,  Gen.  H.  \V.,  309,  313,  317,  325,  329, 
342.  343.  375.  378. 

Smith,  Carl  Rohl-,  sculptor,  death  of,  24. 

Smithfield,  X.  C.,  341. 

Smyrna,  Ga.,  267. 

Snake  Creek  Gap,  Ga.,  257,  258. 

Soaps  Creek,  Ga.,  271. 

Society  of.    ($te  name  of  army. ) 

Sorrowing  throng,  a, 

Stafford.  Rev.  D.  J.,  invocation,  90. 

Stands,  the,  33. 

Stands  by  the  Flag,  163. 

State  Arsenal,  superintendent  of,  160. 

Statistics  of  the  campaign,  299. 

Statue,  Sherman,  9,  13,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20, 
21,  22,  23,  24,  25  (site),  26,  27,  28,  29,  30,  31, 
32  ;  committee,  9,  10,  11,  13.  14  ;  cost  of,  22; 
contract  for,  21  ;  improvement  of  sur 
roundings,  16;  appropriations  for,  16 ; 
commission  created,  15;  measurements, 
24  ;  work  to  be  carried  on  by  representa 
tives  of  the  late  sculptor,  24.  (Further 
details  indexed.) 

Steeles  Bayou,  Miss.,  expedition,  387. 

Strength  of  armies,  invasion  of  Georgia, 
253.  255:  battle  of  Atlanta,  283;  Atlanta 
campaign,  299;  pursuit  of  Hood,  303,  304; 
inarch  to  the  sea,  309,  310;  campaign  in 
the  Carolinas,  330,  331;  final  movements, 
34*. 

Subfoundation  of  statue,  23. 

Sumter,  Fort,  S.  C.,  reminiscent,  344. 

Superintendent  of  a  military  college,  159, 
160,  161,  162,  163,  164,  165,  166,  167. 

Surrender  of  Johnston,  unconditional,  358. 

Surrender  of  United  States  arsenal,  164. 

Surveyor,  146. 

Sutler's  fort,  Cal.,  145. 

Symons,  Col.  T.  \V.,  u,  36,  42,  49,  99,  100; 
complimented,  101. 

Tallahatchie,  Miss.,  214,  387. 

Taps.  380. 

Tenders  his  services,  171. 

Tennessee,  Army  and  Department  of,  iR8, 
190,  193,  214,  218,  222,  233,  235,  246,  249,  250, 
253,  254,  255,  258,  268,  277,  278,  279,  280,  281, 
282,  283,  284,  285,  286,  287,  294,  388,  Society 
of  the  Army  of  the,  9,  n,  13,  14,  15,  16,  19, 
21,  38,  41,  53;  reunion,  103,  104;  incident, 
105. 


4io 


Index. 


Tennessee  River,  passage  of,  at  East  Port, 
Ala.,  387;  line  of  operations  suggested, 
187;  reconnoiters,  190. 

Thanks  of  Congress,  243,  326,  390. 

Theater,  an  incident,  250;  of  Grant's  oper 
ations  entered,  343. 

Theaters,  Sherman,  370. 

Thomas,  Gen.  George  H.,  203,  205,  241,  249, 
252,  253,  258,  259,  260,  271,  273,  274,  275,  293, 
301,  303,  308,  343. 

Thorndike,  William  Tecumseh  Sherman, 
49;  unveils  the  statue,  57,  59. 

Tickets,  37,  38. 

Torpedoes,  318. 

Tour  of  Europe,  390. 

Transcontinental  railway,  147. 

Troublesome  situation,  a,  368. 

Truce,  flag  of,  350. 

Tunnel  Hill,  Ga.,  258. 

Turner's  ferry,  Ga.,  268. 

Tuscumbia,  Ala.,  235. 

Tybee  Roads,  Ga.,  321. 

Ulcofauhatchee,  Ga.,  crossing,  314. 

"  Uncle  Billy,"  313,  318. 

Union  affairs  at  St.  Louis,  170. 

Union  League  Club  of  New  York,  birthday 
reception,  376. 

Unison  of  harmony  and  step,  48. 

Unveiling  commission,  the,  49. 

Vicksburg,  Miss.,  203,  207,  213,  214,  217,  218, 


Vicksburg,  Miss.— Continued. 

219,   220,  221,    222,   224,   225,    226;    pursued   to 

works,  227,228,229,230,231;  siege,  surren 
der,  387,  388. 

Vinings  Station,  Ga.,  270,  304. 

Visiting  scenes  of  later  triumphs,  135. 

Walnut  Hills,  Miss.,  215;  seizure  of,  387. 

War,  a  pageant  of,  45. 

Washington,  D.  C.,  off  for,  under  orders, 
147;  defense  of,  386;  march  to,  360,  389; 
viewing  battlefields,  360. 

Wassaw  Sound,  321. 

West  Point,  N.  Y.,  enters,  132;  career  at,  132. 

West  Point,  Ga.,  292. 

Wilmington,  N.  C.,  336,  339. 

Wine  and  war,  338. 

\Vinnsboro,  N.  C.,  336. 

Wounded,  386. 

Yalabusha  River,  Miss.,  214. 

Yazoo,  Miss.,  expedition,  in  command,  387. 

Yazoo  City  (Chickasaw  Bluffs),  Miss.,  214, 
215,  223. 

Yazoo  River,  Miss.,  reconnoissance  for  a 
lodgment,  219,  220,  221,  230. 

Yellow  Creek,  Miss.,  191. 

Yerba  Buena,  Cal.,  140. 

Young,  Lieut.  Gen.  S.  B.  M.,  grand  mar 
shal,  n,  36,  45.  49. 

Youngs  Point,  Miss.,  221,  224. 

Youth,  131. 


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